Sugar mills in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh are facing a shortage of sugarcane. Last year’s floods impacted the sugarcane crop, affecting production and leaving mills unable to procure enough cane from farmers. As a result, the mills may be forced to shut down in the first week of March. Currently, the mills are operating for less hours compared to their original schedule.
The 2024 floods impacted the sugarcane crops of many farmers, and in many regions, the yield is reported to be lower. These issues have severely affected the harvest, and the effects are being felt now. There are currently five operational sugar mills in the district.
The impact of red rot disease can also be seen, though it is less severe than the previous season, as many farmers switched to improved varieties.
The sugarcane crushing season began in November 2024. Typically, around 250,000 farmers deliver cane to five mills: Oswal Mill in Nawabganj, Kesar Enterprises in Beheri, Dhampur in Meerganj, Kisan Sahakari Mill in Semikhera, and Dwarikesh Mill in Faridpur. However, due to the crop losses, only about 200,000 farmers have delivered cane this year, with the fewest deliveries coming from Nawabganj.
According to the District Cane Officer, the crop losses have led to a shortage of sugarcane, and as a result, the mills are facing a depletion of their cane stock, reported Amar Ujala.
