Tinsukia, May 1: Amid concerns over rising unemployment and shifting climate patterns, indigenous sugarcane juice sellers in Assam’s Tinsukia district have used International Workers’ Day (May Day 2026) to encourage younger generations to explore sugarcane cultivation and related small-scale enterprises as viable sources of livelihood.
Ranjit Moran, a resident of Kakopathar’s Hatigarh village who operates a roadside juice stall along NH-37 in Doomdooma, said traditional reliance on government employment is becoming increasingly uncertain. He stressed that self-employment through agriculture-linked activities could offer more stability in the current economic climate.
Moran, who previously worked as an autorickshaw driver, shifted to the sugarcane juice trade after facing growing competition from e-rickshaws. Acting on advice from acquaintances, he invested in equipment and began operations. He now runs the stall with the assistance of a co-worker, earning an estimated daily income of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000, which he said is sufficient to support his household.
Despite the steady returns, Moran pointed to challenges in sourcing raw materials due to limited local cultivation. While he earlier procured sugarcane from nearby Phillobari, he now depends on more distant areas such as Hahkhati and may soon turn to Bordumsa to sustain supply.
He also highlighted the economic potential of sugarcane farming, suggesting it could generate better returns than tea cultivation in certain cases. He urged farmers to utilise idle land for sugarcane production, describing it as a practical step towards income diversification.
Vendors in the region noted that rising temperatures have increased demand for cooling beverages, indirectly boosting the sugarcane juice market. Moran described this trend as an emerging opportunity despite the broader environmental challenges posed by climate change.
The appeal reflects a growing grassroots sentiment in Assam favouring entrepreneurship and agricultural diversification as pathways to economic resilience.
