First lifting of sugarcane will be as per MSP: Deshmukh

The first lifting of sugarcane in the upcoming crushing season in Maharashtra will be in accordance with the Minimum Support Price (MSP), state Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh said here today.
"The cooperative sector needs to be more efficient in the state. Cooperative sugar factories are of farmers. Coordination between farmers and sugar millers will be needed for the benefit of all. The first lifting of sugarcane will be in accordance with the MSP," Deshmukh said after chairing a meeting regarding the prices of sugarcane and various demands of farmers, held at the state guest house 'Sahyadri'.
Prices from the second lifting will be decided as per the situation and efforts will be made to maximise the benefits to farmers, he added.

Deshmukh said the government has no problem if sugar factories give more rates than the MSP and that a meeting of the Sugar Rate Control Committee (SRCC) will be held shortly.
"Also, a study group will be sent to Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to study the condition of sugar factories and rates of ethanol there. After completion of the study tour, a report will be called for within 15 days and a decision will be taken," the minister said.
He said representatives of farmers' associations will also be included in the committee appointed at the district level for weighment inspection of sugarcane.

Representatives of various associations of farmers attended the meeting, where discussions were held on issues related to sugarcane farmers and factories.
Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot, Swabhimani Paksha MP Raju Shetti, Sugar Commissioner Sambhaji Kadu Patil, Maharashtra State Co-operative Sugar Association Mumbai's Vice President Jay Prakash Dandengkar, Rashtriya Sanghatana's Raghunathdada Patil, Anil Ghanwat and other representatives attended the meeting.