Pune: Sugar mills in Maharashtra have disbursed 84.86% of the total Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to farmers for the 2025–26 season, with Rs 23,831 crore deposited directly into farmers’ bank accounts, according to Maharashtra Sugar Commissionerate. The total payable amount is Rs 28,083 crore. The remaining Rs 4,252 crore is still pending from sugar mills, according to a news report by Pudhari.
In the latest FRP report prepared by the Sugar Commissionerate, it was noted that as of January 31, 2026, payments were calculated for sugarcane crushed up to January 15. By that date, 205 sugar mills had processed about 724.74 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane, resulting in total dues of Rs 28,083 crore. Sugar mills have so far paid Rs 23,831 crore, including harvesting and transportation costs to farmers, and are yet to pay the remaining amount.
Only 41 of the 205 sugar mills have paid the full FRP, while 75 mills have cleared between 80% and 99% of the dues. Payments between 60% and 79% have been made by 44 mills, while 45 mills have paid between zero and 59%. In total, 164 mills account for the pending Rs 4,252 crore owed to farmers.
Yashwant Giri, Director (Finance), told Pudhari that FRP payments are being reviewed regularly under the guidance of Sugar Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Kolte. He said some mills have paid farmers more than the FRP and added that Maharashtra has a relatively strong record compared to other states in terms of the share of payments made to farmers.
The pending amount of Rs 4,252 crore is expected to be cleared within the next fortnight. The Sugar Commissionerate will conduct hearings with the concerned mills, listen to their explanations, and take further action on the overdue payments.
