NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 22: The country's sugar production in the 1999-2000season (October-September) is expected to touch an all time high of 170 lakhtonnes, up by 10 lakh tonnes from the initial estimates, according togovernment and industry officials. "We will not be surprised if the sugaroutput during the ongoing season touches 170 lakh tonnes," secretary ofsugar and edible oils P Shankar said.Government and the apex organisations of sugar producers -- Indian SugarMills Association (ISMA) and the National Federation of Cooperative SugarFactories (Nfcsf) -- had initially pegged the production at 160 lakh tonnesas against last year's output of 155 lakh tonnes.
Shankar said the projection of higher output was based on reports of betterrecovery percentage of nine per cent and increase in acreage under the crop.The industry has estimated a five per cent increase in acreage under thecrop at 30 lakh hectares in the major sugar growing states like Maharashtra,Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
"The climate was just right for a bumper crop and the timely availability ofdew has aided better yield," he said.
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