Dhampur: The Sugar Mill is facing a shortfall in sugarcane supply this year due to floods and red rot disease that damaged crops last year. The mill is operating at a slower pace compared to the previous year and is lagging far behind its 2023 performance, reported Amar Ujala.
So far, 80% of the standing sugarcane crop has been crushed. Mill officials have indicated that the crushing season may end by April 15 due to the lack of sugarcane. The mill’s capacity has been reduced from 1.45 lakh quintals per day to 90,000 quintals due to the shortage.
Last year, the Dhampur sugar mill set a record by crushing 265 lakh quintals of sugarcane. However, this year, the mill is expected to fall short of its 2023 performance by a significant margin.
In the 140-day crushing season last year, the mill crushed 182 lakh quintals of sugarcane. In contrast, only 177 lakh quintals have been crushed so far this year.
General Manager (Cane) Omveer Singh said that last year, sugarcane was cultivated in an area of 48,000 hectares. So far, 80% of this area, around 39,000 hectares, has been crushed.
The mill is attempting to keep the crushing season running until April 15 by reducing its capacity to crush the remaining 20% of the crop. This will allow farmers to plant new sugarcane and ensure they have fodder for their animals.
