Yamunanagar, Haryana: Saraswati Sugar Mills (SSM) has initiated payments to sugarcane farmers following the government’s announcement of sugarcane prices. The mill has disbursed approximately Rs 50 crore to farmers for sugarcane supplied up to November 14, with subsequent payments to be made automatically daily, reported Tribune India.
The payments will be credited directly to the bank accounts of the 22,500 farmers associated with the mill. This timely release of funds will provide much-needed relief to farmers, enabling them to meet their daily expenses and prepare for the upcoming wheat sowing season.
Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, issued the notification on November 23, stipulating sugarcane prices at Rs 386 and Rs 379 per quintal for early and other varieties, respectively, for the 2023-24 crushing season.
The sugar mill initiated its crushing operations on October 31, marking an early start compared to the usual commencement around November 20 in the state. Last year, the crushing operation commenced on November 8. DP Singh, Senior Vice-President (Cane) at SSM, highlighted, “Our sugar mill is the first to start crushing operations in Haryana so early on October 31, and now it is the first to start payments to sugarcane farmers.”
As of now, SSM has crushed about 21.30 lakh quintals of sugarcane and aims to crush 175 lakh quintals in the ongoing season. The senior VP of the mill encourages farmers to supply their entire sugarcane quantity to the mill to avail of the state advisory price and discourage diversion to other sources at lower rates. The mill is committed to purchasing all available sugarcane within its command area.
