Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s sugar season has kicked off, with around 175 mills receiving licenses from the state sugar commissionerate, and other mills expected to receive soon. Every sugarcane harvesting season, especially in Kolhapur and Sangli, begins with protests demanding that mills announce the price. This year is no different. On Monday, the Andolan Ankush farmers’ organisation in Shirol halted cane cutting because the sugar mill had not announced the price for the new season.
The central government has set the fair and remunerative price (FRP) at ₹3,400 per tonne for sugarcane with a recovery rate of 10.25%. However, farmers in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara, whose recovery rates exceed 11%, demand higher payments.
Raju Shetti, president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, has urged sugar commissioner Kunal Khemnar to address the issue. “We are demanding ₹3,700 per tonne for sugarcane in this region because sugar prices in the open market are above ₹40 per kg. Mills also profit from byproducts. I have asked the commissioner to convene a meeting to settle the price dispute. If this is not resolved, we will have no choice but to intensify our protests and stop cane cutting,” Shetti said.
The state had initially set November 15 as the start date for crushing. However, delays caused by a shortage of cane cutters and leaders’ involvement in assembly elections pushed operations until after election results were declared last Saturday.
A sugar mill operator highlighted additional challenges this season. “The delay in crushing could reduce sugar recovery rates. Moreover, the demand to increase the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar remains unfulfilled. Mills need sufficient capital to ensure a smooth and financially viable season,” the operator said, reported The Times of India.
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