Maharashtra sugar mills in quandary as farmers take cane to Karnataka
Sugar mills in western Maharashtra face pressure as Karnataka’s early crushing season draws cane from border districts. Farmers from Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Dharashiv, and Latur prefer selling to Karnataka mills to avoid losses, despite Maharashtra’s official November 1 start. Leaders urge patience, seeking higher rates above FRP for farmers.
Sugar mills in western Maharashtra are in a tight spot as the crushing season has kicked off early across the border in Karnataka. With the Karnataka government granting mills permission to begin operations ahead of schedule, sugarcane from Maharashtra’s border districts is now steadily flowing into Karnataka’s factories, creating tension among millers in Maharashtra.
Farmers from Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Dharashiv, and Latur — all key cane-growing districts — are sending their harvest to mills in Karnataka’s Belagavi, Vijayapura, and Bidar regions. Karnataka Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil allowed early crushing, warning that delayed harvesting could lower sugar recovery and reduce farmer income. Farmers prefer early cutting to prevent loss of sucrose and ensure maximum returns, Patil said.
In contrast, Maharashtra has set November 1 as the official start date for the crushing season. The Sugar Directorate warned that strict action would be taken against mills that violate the order. Officials said that several districts were affected by heavy rains in September, delaying field readiness and logistics. The Directorate has directed any mills that have begun crushing early to halt operations immediately.
Not willing to wait
“Many farmers in the border areas have already begun harvesting with help from a few sugarcane cutters who arrived from Marathwada,” said Vishwas Patil, a farmer from Kolhapur. “Since mills in Karnataka are accepting cane, farmers here don’t want to wait and risk losing recovery.”
Millers in Maharashtra had been urging the state government to allow crushing from October 15, citing readiness and fear of losing cane to Karnataka. However, the directive remains firm.
Meanwhile, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti has advised farmers to stay patient. “I have told farmers not to rush their cane to mills. Shortage later may work in their favour and fetch better rates,” he said. Shetti has also demanded that mills pay ₹200 per tonne above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) this season to compensate for rising costs and losses due to erratic weather.
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Source : The Hindu Business line
