New Delhi: According to the latest data available with the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the pending cane dues to the farmers for 2021-22 season stand at 5,910 crore at end of the season on September 30. It is said to be the lowest in 5 years, reports The Indian Express.
Hike in sugar exports and diversion for ethanol production helped in speedy cane payment this season.
For the 2021-22 season, farmers produced cane worth Rs 1.18 lakh crore and they have received around Rs 1.12 lakh crore till September 30, as per the data. The pending dues amounting to Rs 5,910, crore which is around 5% of the total payable amount.
As per the government, the payment of cane dues in the 2021-22 season was “historically” high.
The ethanol blending programme launched by Centre helped the sugar millers to divert excess sugar to ethanol production and avoid glut creating a problem for clearing cane dues to the farmers. About 22 lakh metric tonnes of sugar was diverted to ethanol production in 2020-21 and 35 lakh metric tonnes were diverted in 2021-22.
