Kolhapur: Sugar cane farmers, under leadership of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana president and former MP Raju Shetti, have warned that sugar mills will not be allowed to begin crushing operations unless they commit to paying at least ₹3,751 per tonne for the upcoming season, reports The Times of India.
Speaking at the 24th annual sugar cane farmers’ convention in Jaysingpur, which drew growers from several districts, Shetti said millers must pay an additional ₹201 per tonne for the 2024–25 crushing season. He pointed out that mills had earned substantial profits from strong sugar market prices and increased ethanol production.
“The sugar price has remained around ₹40 per kg, bringing huge profits to mills and marketing companies,” Shetti said. “Given these returns and the rising costs faced by farmers, mills should pay ₹3,751 per tonne. Moreover, they did not share last season’s profits with farmers and should now pay an extra ₹200 per tonne for that period.”
The government’s Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for the season beginning November 1 is set at ₹3,550 per tonne. Shetti’s demand is ₹200 above this official rate.
He urged farmers not to rush their produce to the mills, saying, “Heavy rains in September have reduced the cane supply, leaving mills with no choice but to meet our price demand.”
Shetti also took a dig at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, questioning his warning to take action against mills for alleged sugar theft, known locally as kata mari. “Is he trying to intimidate the millers? If he truly intends to act, he should investigate the irregularities in the mills that I had exposed years ago and use AI and digital tools to ensure transparency,” Shetti said.
