Maharashtra: Raju Shetti opposes October 15 crushing start, seeks Rs 500 per tonne subsidy
Raju Shetti opposed Maharashtra’s decision to begin the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season on October 15, warning of lower cane weight and sugar recovery. He demanded a ₹500-per-tonne subsidy for farmers, threatening statewide agitation if the government proceeds without compensation.
Kolhapur: Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti has opposed the Maharashtra government’s decision to commence the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season from October 15, warning that an early start could cause significant losses to sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry.
The state Cabinet committee decided to begin the crushing season on October 15 in line with directions from the Central government. However, Shetti said the decision was inappropriate and demanded that the Centre and the state government announce a subsidy of at least Rs 500 per tonne for sugarcane farmers.
He warned that sugar mills should be allowed to begin crushing from October 15 only if the subsidy is announced. Otherwise, the government could face an intense agitation across the state, he said.
According to Shetti, starting crushing operations in October would lead to a significant decline in both sugarcane weight and sugar recovery. He said the average sugar recovery from November 1 to December 10 is generally only around 8% to 9%.
Sugar recovery starts improving after December 15 as temperatures fall and winter intensifies, he said. If mills begin crushing in October, around 50% to 60% of the sugarcane could be crushed during the period of lower recovery.
This, Shetti said, would directly affect farmers through a reduction in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payable to them for the following year.
He therefore urged the Centre and Maharashtra government to compensate farmers through a subsidy of at least Rs 500 per tonne if they insist on starting the crushing season from October 15.
To Read more about Sugar Industry continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : ChiniMandi
