Sugar industry eyes relief measures during Amit Shah’s Kolhapur visit
During Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kolhapur, sugar industry and cooperative sector representatives are expected to seek support for sugarcane productivity, improved sugar pricing, AI-based farming solutions, and financial assistance for mills. Stakeholders also hope for progress on recovering ₹112 crore held by NABARD and support for cooperative sector digitalization.
Kolhapur: Expectations are high in the cooperative and sugar sectors as Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah begins his two-day visit to the district today, with stakeholders hoping for decisions that could support sugarcane cultivation, improve mill performance and strengthen farmer returns.
During the visit, representatives from the sugar industry, along with Minister Hasan Mushrif and district bank officials, will get an opportunity to raise key concerns related to the cooperative sector during a scheduled review meeting.
Among the issues expected to be highlighted is the growing concern over shorter sugar crushing seasons, which stakeholders say are affecting sugarcane production and creating challenges for the industry.
Industry representatives believe that greater use of artificial intelligence in sugarcane cultivation could help improve productivity and support long-term growth in cane output. They also expect policy support and expert-led assistance packages for sugar mills, which they say would strengthen factory operations and lead to better financial returns for farmers.
The sector is also seeking support through improved sugar pricing, which industry representatives believe would provide relief to sugar mills and improve overall economics for sugarcane growers.
Alongside production-related concerns, cooperative leaders are expected to raise financial issues including the recovery of Rs 112 crore belonging to the district bank that has remained with NABARD for more than a decade. The Supreme Court has advised discussions between NABARD and the district bank to resolve the matter, and the sector hopes for support from the central government.
Stakeholders also pointed to the ongoing digital transition across cooperative institutions and said stronger backing for digital initiatives could accelerate modernization and improve services for farmers.
Leaders in the cooperative sector expressed hope that a positive response from Amit Shah on these issues could help revive growth in sugarcane farming and strengthen the cooperative movement across the region.
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Source : ChiniMandi
