Kolhapur: The state assembly elections scheduled on October 21 are likely to affect the cane crushing season this year. The mills are expected to commence cane crushing in November after Diwali. The farmers are demanding to start crushing earlier as their crops have been severely damaged and early crushing would help them to crush available sugarcane.
The heavy rainfall has affected the cane crop in South Maharashtra with some crops partially submerged and some fully submerged underwater. According to experts, the cane producers can expect some benefits from the partially submerged cane.
The cane cutters will be available for cutting cane crop after Diwali ends. Experts believe that the millers are in no mood to start crushing till the elections get complete as the majority of the mills are associated with politicians, and they will be busy in an election campaign.
The sugar commissionerate has extended the last date for obtaining crushing license to give mills more time to prepare for crushing. It is extended to September 30 from the earlier deadline of August 30.
Heavy rain in Pune, Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts, the sugar belt of Maharashtra, have majorly hit the sugarcane crops. With the harm to sugarcane, it may also impact the sugar output in the state.
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