Aska sugar factory to defer cane processing

The very severe cyclonic storm Phailin and the subsequent floods have forced Aska Cooperative Sugar Industries Limited (ACSIL) to defer its sugarcane processing plan.

Cane processing that was scheduled to begin in mid-November will be postponed since ACSIL's sugar factory has suffered heavy damage.

"We were planning to run the factory from November 15, aiming to produce more sugar. But it does not seem possible as the factory is not in a position to run early. The cane crushing is likely to be taken up from the end of December or the first week of January 2014", said Trilochan Majhi, managing director of ACSIL.

The factory had started operation from December 23, 2012 in the last crushing season and ran till April 30, 2013. The factory processed 190,000 tonne of sugarcane during the period.

The loss-making sugar industry has suffered heavy losses due to Phailin and subsequent floods. Several machines of the factory were submerged in water while many civil constructions have been damaged in the premises. The factory authorities have assessed the loss at around Rs nine crore due to the twin calamities.

"We have sought around Rs 4.50 crore immediately from the government under the Rastriya Krushi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) to undertake the restoration work. We hope the government will sanction the amount soon", he added.

ACSIL book already carries a loss of Rs 13 crore.

Meanwhile, the sugarcane farmers in the district have sought a special package from the government to raise the crop. The sugarcane crop in around 8,500 hectares (ha) was totally damaged in the calamities, affecting the livelihoods of about 10,000 farmers in 17 out of 22 blocks in the district, according to Ganjam District Sugarcane Growers' Association (GDSGA).

"The government should come out with a special package for the sugarcane growers immediately. The package should include loan waiver and distribution of agriculture inputs free of cost among other measures", said secretary of GDSGA Samir Pradhan.