Kashipur, Uttarakhand: Sugar mills across the state collectively crushed 391.23 lakh quintals of sugarcane this season, with Laksar sugar mill leading the way by crushing the highest amount of 149.82 lakh quintals, reported Live Hindustan.
However, the Bajpur and Nadehi sugar mills in the Udham Singh Nagar district witnessed a decrease in sugarcane supply compared to the previous year. In contrast, the Sitarganj sugar mill received over 14 lakh quintals more sugarcane than last year. According to departmental officials, the decline in sugarcane production in Nadehi, Kashipur, and Bazpur was due to the red rot disease.
Eight sugar mills were operational in the state, located in Bajpur, Nadehi, Kichha, Sitarganj, Doiwala, Libberheri, Iqbalpur, and Laksar. While the overall sugar production in the state increased compared to the previous year, the district experienced a decrease of 50,000 quintals in sugar production. This season, Bajpur crushed 23.12 lakh quintals and Nadehi crushed only 14.86 lakh quintals of sugarcane.
Conversely, the Kichha and Sitarganj sugar mills received more sugarcane this year than the last. Kichha crushed 30.90 lakh quintals this time, compared to 30.09 lakh quintals in the previous season. Similarly, Sitarganj crushed 37.64 lakh quintals this season, a significant increase from the 23.46 lakh quintals crushed last year.
According to the department, the red rot disease led to lower sugarcane yields in certain areas of the district this season. The Bajpur and Nadehi sugar mills received less sugarcane and had to close earlier than usual. On the other hand, the Laksar, Doiwala, Libberheri, and Iqbalpur sugar mills received an ample supply of sugarcane.
“The red rot disease was observed in Nadehi, Kashipur, and Bajpur. A team of scientists from Pantnagar conducted a survey. The impact of the disease was less severe after Bajpur. Plants affected by the disease were uprooted to prevent its further spread. The Haridwar region was not affected by the disease,” stated Ashish Negi, Assistant Commissioner, Sugarcane and Sugar Industries Department, Udham Singh Nagar.
