Warning of delay in starting sugarcane crushing in Maharashtra

29-Oct-2024 06:13 PM

Pune. Millers of Maharashtra, the country's leading sugar producing state, have warned the central government that if the ex-factory minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar is not increased immediately and the purchase price of ethanol for oil marketing companies (OMCs) is not increased,

then crushing of sugarcane in private sector sugar mills in the state may start late during the current marketing season. The Maharashtra government has allowed sugar mills in the state to start crushing sugarcane from November 15.

The Western India Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) says that the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane is being increased every year, due to which the cost of sugar is continuously increasing.

On the other hand, the MSP of sugar has remained stable since the year 2019 and there has been no increase in it.

An urgent memorandum has been given to the Central Government by the representatives of Visma, demanding an increase of Rs 7 per kg in the MSP of sugar and Rs 5 to Rs 7 per liter in the purchase price of ethanol.

Visma representatives have urged the government to accept both these demands before November 15 so that large-scale disruption in the crushing of sugarcane can be avoided and sugarcane producers can be saved from trouble.

The association says that a proposal to this effect was under consideration with the government but it was postponed.

This is a big blow to the sugar industry. The MSP of sugar was last increased in the year 2019, while the FRP of sugarcane is being increased every year.

A statement issued by the association said that the sugar industry plays a very important role in strengthening the economy of the rural area and it is the second largest supporting industry which remains the main source of livelihood for millions of farmers and workers.

Despite this, the sugar industry gets very little cooperation and support from the central and state governments.