Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Uttam sugar mill in Libberheri is facing a shortage of sugarcane as higher prices offered by local jaggery unit have drawn farmers away from supplying the mill. The situation has raised concerns among the mill management, reported Amar Ujala.
In the mill’s catchment area, local jaggery unit are currently offering between ₹450 and ₹500 per quintal. As a result, the quantity of cane reaching sugar mill has fallen sharply. While the mill has a crushing capacity of 80,000 quintals per day, it is currently receiving only about 40,000 to 45,000 quintals.
The problem has deepened over the past few weeks. The crushing season began about a month and a half ago, during which daily arrivals had reached a maximum of 50,000 to 60,000 quintals. Now, supplies have dropped to around 40,000 quintals. Because of this decline, mill officials have been going from village to village urging farmers to supply their cane to the mill.
Such a situation has emerged after several years. In previous seasons, farmers would demand cane purchase slips from the mill. This year, however, the mill is having to actively seek cane supplies to operate at full capacity. Despite making timely payments to farmers, the mill has not been able to secure enough cane. Supplies from cane purchase centres have also fallen.
