Karnataka sugar mills to start crushing early, may impact Maharashtra farmers and mills
Karnataka sugar mills in Belagavi, Vijaypura, and Bidar districts will begin crushing from October 20, ten days earlier than usual, raising concerns for Maharashtra mills in Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Dharashiv, and Latur. Heavy September rains have delayed harvesting, while experts expect a 10% drop in cane output this season.
Kolhapur: Karnataka sugar mills in the districts bordering Maharashtra are set to commence their crushing operations on Monday, following the neighbouring state’s decision to advance the sugar cane crushing start date from Nov 1 to Oct 20. This ten-day early start may impact Maharashtra’s sugar mills.Shivanand Patil, Karnataka’s sugar minister, announced the change on Saturday, warning that late harvesting might result in decreased sugar output. In Maharashtra, millers had been advocating for the crushing to begin from Oct 15. However, numerous districts were severely affected by heavy rain in Sept.Farmers usually want to supply their produce without any delay. Any delay in harvesting could lead to reduced sugar recovery and lower incomes for the farmers.B B Thombare, the president of the Western India Sugar Mills’ Association, however, said, “There will be no major impact on Maharashtra’s sugar mills. The cutters will be available only after the Diwali festival. Also, the fields in Maharashtra are still wet, and it is unlikely that Karnataka mills will send their cutters to Maharashtra for harvesting work.”
The sugar cane-producing districts of Maharashtra bordering Karnataka include Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Dharashiv, and Latur, while Karnataka’s bordering districts are Belagavi, Vijaypura, and Bidar. Experts indicate that the heavy rain has adversely affected the sugar cane crops, anticipating approximately a 10% decrease in production this season. Sugar mills in Maharashtra are expected to compete for cane supply by offering prices above the mandatory Fair and Remunerative Price.”There is agitation going on in Karnataka. The farmers there, too, are demanding a price more than FRP. We too have sought Rs 200 per tonne more than FRP. I have advised farmers not to rush to supply the cane to the mills as the shortage may come to their advantage by fetching more rates,” said Raju Shetti, former MP and president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana.
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Source : The Times Of India
