UP sugar output falters on delayed crushing
The fall in output can primarily be attributed to lesser number of functioning mills. Last year, while 84 mills were crushing sugarcane, only 78 mills started crushing operatioins this year till November 26.
There are 124 sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh, of which 78 have started operations. Of these 78 mills, 65 are privately owned and 13 are run by the Uttar Pradesh State Sugar Cooperative Federation.
According to industry experts, of these 78 mills, half of them have started operations last week and it takes a few days for the mills to stabilise production. “The factory owners are in no hurry to start crushing operations as the sugar recovery improves only if the cane matures properly. Farmers, on other hand, were also waiting for the festive season to get over before they get down to the harvesting business. Now, the business is expected to pick up,” said Sudhir Panwar, a farmer leader and professor of Lucknow University.
However, flip side of this delay for the industry, feel others, is the probabity that cane may get diverted to the unorganised sector. “The unorganised sector, comprising of kolhus, crushers and khandsari units usually take advantage of the delay in announcing cane price. And for all those farmers who are unable to wait longer for the mills to start
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