A fall in sugarcane supply may force three sugar mills in Lakhimpur Kheri to end their crushing season by March 15, nearly two weeks earlier than usual, after farmers harvested cane early due to fear of wild animals in forest-side areas, Live Hindustan reported.
Sugar mills in Palia, Gola and Khambharkhera have issued closure notices as cane arrivals have declined in recent days. Two of these mills are expected to stop crushing operations by March 15, while some other mills in the district may continue until March 31.
Sugar mills in the district usually run their crushing operations until April. However, this year the early harvesting of cane has affected regular supplies to the mills.
Farmers in villages located near forest areas reportedly harvested and supplied their cane earlier than usual due to fear of tiger and leopard movement. The situation is said to be more noticeable around the Dudhwa National Park buffer zone, including areas around Palia, southern Kheri near Gola and the Shardanagar forest range.
After harvesting their cane early, farmers cleared the fields to prepare for other crops, which has now reduced the steady flow of cane to sugar mills. Mills require a regular supply of cane to operate at full capacity, but the current arrivals have slowed.
Officials said cane supply to the Palia and Khambharkhera mills has increased compared with last year, while supply to the Gola mill has declined.
Ved Prakash Singh said two mills have already issued closure notices. He added that the mills will stop operations only after purchasing the remaining sugarcane from farmers.
