Sugar industry must speak with one voice: NFCSF President

The President of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. (NFCSF), Harshvardhan Patil, has asked all the stakeholders of the sugar and bioethanol industry to unite and represent with one voice all the core issues confronting the sugar industry.

Speaking on the sidelines of the centenary convention of The Sugar Technologists’ Association of India (STAI) in New Delhi, Patil said that “There is a lot of issues that the sugar industry is facing. We have to convene a meeting within the next 10-15 days wherein all the apex sugar associations- NFCSF, STAI, ISMA, ChiniMandi should come and discuss the core issues facing the sugar industry. We should present a single Memorandum to the Government. I am ready to lead the delegation”.

Patil expressed that he is confident that the government will address the issues and find a solution for the growth and sustainability of the industry, considering the socio-economic role it plays in rural areas.

“We should convene a meeting in 10–15 days to discuss the issues facing the sugar industry. There should be a single consolidated draft, with ISMA, NFCSF, STAI, and ChiniMandi all coming forward to contribute.”

– Shri Harshvardhan Patil, President, National Federation of… pic.twitter.com/or1T9xCzzf

— ChiniMandi (@ChiniMandi) July 25, 2025

On sugar MSP, he said that the government has increased the cane FRP significantly over the years; however, the sugar MSP has remained static over the years, increasing the cost of production. A timely upward revision of the MSP, aligned with FRP hikes, is essential.

Patil has also called for upward revision of the ethanol procurement price from B Heavy molasses and sugarcane juice.

“The ethanol blending programme is a cornerstone of green energy policy. However, recent changes in procurement prices, particularly for ethanol produced from B-heavy molasses and sugarcane juice, are creating uncertainty. Prices must be reviewed to ensure sustainable operations and long-term planning,” he added.

He said that there is an expectation of a bumper sugar production in 2025-26 SS, hence the government should also look at a well-defined export policy is essential to avoid a domestic surplus, which can weigh down on prices, leading to a delay in settling cane price payment of farmers.