Pune: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday lifted the ban on sugarcane exports, which was imposed till 30th April 2024. The decision was taken after farmer organizations resorted to protest against the ban.
This decision to revoke the export ban was announced through a notification issued by the Department of Cooperation and Marketing.
The state government had imposed the ban to ensure adequate availability of sugarcane for local sugar mills for crushing. However, farmer organizations argued that the ban would hurt sugarcane farmers, who would be unable to sell their produce at a good price.
The ban was lifted after a meeting between the state’s cooperation minister, Dilip Walse-Patil, and farmer leader Sadabhu Khot. Patil had assured Khot that the ban would be lifted within two days.
The prolonged dry spell in August has raised alarms, signaling a drought-like situation in parts of Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and the Western Maharashtra region. Agrimandi.live, an analysis and forecasting company specializing in Agri-commodities, has forecasted sugar production in Maharashtra to be around 90 lakh tonnes for the upcoming season after assessing the current situation regarding rainfall, crop growth, and other factors.
State Cane Commissioners of all sugar producing states have been asked by government to keep a watch on the status of crops and update their information on area under cane, yield and anticipated sugar production.
