Solapur: The drought and flood in the state have reduced cane production. As a result, around 14 sugar mills from Solapur and seven from Ahmadnagar district may nay operate this season. Solapur is facing severe drought for the second year.
Farmers have uprooted sugarcane in the severely drought-affected regions of the state to feed their animals as other green fodders were not available. The unavailability of sugarcane is likely to hamper many sugar mills this season.
Sugar mills in the regions may also face difficulty in getting a crushing license. To ensure the early payment for sugarcane farmers, Maharashtra government has decided that sugar mills would be issued crushing licences only if they agree to pay fair and remunerative price (FRP) dues to cane growers within 14 days.
