Sugarcane production in UP, Maharashtra starts gaining momentum

India’s one-fourth of the sugar mills from Uttar Pradesh and 45 percent from Maharashtra have started crushing sugarcane. The state’s sugar output is sharply lower due to delayed start in sugarcane crushing by mills this season. 

Interestingly, 121 sugar mills will start operating in the state this year. An official of the UP government said, “The sugar mills from UP will begin their crushing operations on time by November 25. However, the average yield of cane will be lower by 10 percent due to excessive rainfall in the state, while it will be down by 15 percent in the pockets affected by hailstorm.” 

Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav said, “BJP government in UP is ignorant about agriculture and farmers issues. Agriculture experts have advised to start wheat cultivation by November 20. How will the farmers sow wheat when they still have sugarcane in their fields awaiting the start of cane crushing by mills? This will lead to losses for farmers. 

Akhilesh further added, “The state had 119 sugar mills and the crushing had not started well.” However, Indian Sugar Mills Association has entered into a contract with Chinese public sector company COFCO to export 15,000 ton raw sugar. 

According to a government release, export of raw sugar from India to China will begin early next year. India plans to export 2 million ton of raw sugar to China from next year. 

Apart from Kolhapur region, sugar mills from rest of Maharashtra have started sugar production before Diwali. Till now about 80 of 180 sugar mills have become operational.