Crushing season in Maharashtra delayed by a month

The sugarcane crushing season for 2012-13 in Maharsahtra would begin from November 1 instead of October 1 due to low availability of the commodity, scanty rainfall and diversion of more than 25 million tonne (mt) of sugarcane to fodder.

A ministerial committee chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday gave its approval in this regard. It was also decided the government would review in early October whether or not the crushing season could be advanced on October 15 in view of the revival of rainfall.

As reported by Business Standard, the state, which contributes more than 30 per cent of the country’s sugar output, is expected to crush only 55 mt to produce 6.2 mt of sugar during 2012-13.

A state government official said, "Majority of the sugarcane growing areas of the state have received inadequate rainfall and standing sugarcane has been diverted as fodder. Against this backdrop, the mills will have less cane in their jurisdiction and will have to strive to get it from the adjoining areas. The government has taken a decision not to grant crushing licences to mills where sugarcane availability is less than 50 per cent."

According to the official, production may even dip below six mt, which has been the general sense among the millers.

He said Maharashtra had crushed 77.1 mt of sugarcane to produce 8.99 mt of sugar during 2011-12 at the recovery of 11.67 per cent. About 162 mills comprising 120 cooperative mills had participated in the last season. However, the number may come down this year for want of sufficient cane.

On the payment of first advance to the growers, the ministerial panel did not take any decision.

However, the office of the state sugar commissioner has already released a directive asking mills that the first advance should not be below fair and remunerative price.