UP sugar production likely to cross 100 lakh tonnes

Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh is set to cross the 100 lakh tonnes mark in the 2017-2018 season starting October, an official said on Thursday.

Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh in the coming season was estimated to be 103 lakh tonnes, state Principal Secretary (Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industry) Sanjay Bhoosreddy said at the Kingsman Asia Sugar Conference here.

"In 2016-17, sugar production in Uttar Pradesh was 87.7 lakh tonnes. This year, rain god has been kind and the weather is favourable. We expect the sugar production to be 103 lakh tonnes this year," he said.

Sugar cane crushing is expected to start by October 10, which will be stopped temporarily during Diwali and resumed by October 25.

The Centre has already asked sugar cane growing states to start crushing as early as possible owing to low sugar availability in the market.

Of the 116 sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh, about 30-40 were old and not in a position to extract juice to the highest possible extent, Bhoosreddy said.

"We are working on a programme to improve seed variety and milling process for higher output," he told reporters.

--IANS

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