Lucknow: In a bid to ensure timely payments to sugarcane farmers, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that sugar mills will only be allotted procurement zones based on their past record of clearing dues promptly. He warned that mills failing to pay farmers on time will face strict consequences, reports Hindustan Times. The directives were issued during a high-level review meeting of the sugar industry and sugarcane development department held on Monday. Officials presented updates on key areas including payment status, productivity, infrastructure, employment, and development plans.
To boost sugarcane output, the Chief Minister called for the timely distribution of improved seed varieties and urged close cooperation between Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), sugar mills, and sugarcane committees. He also asked mill representatives and officials to make regular field visits, maintain constant contact with farmers, and ensure that ministers take part in farmer-focused seminars. Strengthening sugarcane committees was also emphasized. Yogi also ordered that the number of operational days for sugar mills be increased from 142 to 155. He instructed a thorough review of cooperative and federation-run sugar mills, focusing on their production capabilities and employee qualifications.
A report presented during the meeting noted that farmers have received ₹2.85 lakh crore in payments during the current government’s tenure — ₹72,474 crore more than what was paid between 1995 and 2017. For the 2024-25 season, ₹28,873.55 crore out of the ₹34,466.22 crore due (83.8%) had been paid as of May 2. The Chief Minister called for a faster and more efficient payment process to ensure that all farmers are paid in full and on time. The meeting also highlighted an expansion in sugarcane farming, with cultivated area increasing from 20.54 lakh hectares in 2016-17 to 29.51 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Productivity rose from 72.38 tonnes per hectare to 84.10 tonnes per hectare during the same period.
“With the right planning, Uttar Pradesh can double its sugarcane output,” the Chief Minister said, stressing the importance of transparency, timely action, and technology to support farmers. Currently, the state has 122 sugar mills, 236 Khandsari units, 8,707 Kolhu units, 65 cogeneration plants, and 44 distilleries spread across 45 districts, employing around 9.81 lakh people directly. In the area of ethanol production, 150.39 crore litres were produced by 102 distilleries in 2023-24. Private investment of ₹6,771.87 crore is supporting the creation of new units, which will add 105.65 crore litres to the state’s capacity. The Chief Minister described ethanol production as key to energy security and a major source of income for farmers, urging quick implementation of related policies to increase ethanol’s share in the fuel market.
