Balod: The Balod district administration has purchased a sugarcane harvesting machine worth Rs 1.5 crore to help the district’s only sugar mill, the Danteshwari Maiya Sahakari Shakkar Karkhana, which has been facing losses and low production, reported Amar Ujala.
The machine has been procured using funds from the District Mineral Foundation and is aimed at reducing harvesting costs for farmers while ensuring faster and smoother supply of sugarcane to the factory.
Officials said the shortage of skilled labour and high harvesting costs have been key challenges for sugarcane growers. To address this, the advanced harvester will be made available to farmers at rates lower than prevailing labour charges.
Under the proposed system, farmers can apply for the machine, which will be sent directly to their fields to harvest sugarcane and load it onto tractors. The move is expected to save time and improve farmers’ returns.
Some components of the machine are yet to arrive. Once these are received, the administration will finalise subsidised rental rates and formally begin providing the service to farmers, officials said.
