Maharashtra’s State Co-operative Minister, Dilip Walse-Patil, recently expressed concern about the upcoming sugar season. He said that the situation in the upcoming sugar season would be critical, owing to delayed monsoon and water stock in the dams, reports The Hindu
During a speech at the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) in Pune, Walse-Patil compared the previous sugar season, where sugar production was lower due to reduced crushing in Maharashtra. He anticipated a similar scenario this time, pointing out the lack of rainfall in June and July and the inadequate water levels in the dams. To manage this, the government plans to adjust the water distribution schedule based on the available water resources.
In the previous year, around 210 sugar mills collectively produced 1,053.17 lakh quintals of sugar, a decrease from the 1,373 lakh quintals produced the year before.
Walse-Patil also assured that the State government is actively monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with the sugar mills. Additionally, discussions are underway with various sugar organizations, and there are plans to propose an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for sugar to the Union government, he said.
