Competition among sugar mills for cane to get fierce as drought shrinks crop in Maharashtra, Karnataka
Sugar mills of Maharashtra and Karnataka, which together account for more than half of the country's production of the sweetener, are gearing up for a fierce battle among themselves to get every stalk of sugarcane possible.
For the first time ever, Karnataka has fixed an official date to begin sugar production and take legal action against mills that do not obey. Meanwhile, just before a crucial government meeting, the sugar industry of Maharashtra is divided over the right time to begin this year's sugar production so as to maximise the chances of getting a larger share of the shrunken availability of the raw material.
This situation is making officials concerned.
Richard Vincent D'souza, secretary at the commerce and industries department in Karnataka, said: «If the sugar mills begin their crushing operations early due to competition to get more cane, it leads to crushing of immature cane, which results in lower production of sugarcane.”
The Karnataka government had never put any restrictions on the state's sugar industry about when they could begin the sugarcane crushing season. However, this year, sugar mills from north Karnataka will be allowed to start the season from November 1 to 15. Any mill that begins crushing operations before November 1 will have to face legal actions, said a government order.
In Maharashtra, the committee of ministers that fixes the sugarcane crushing date for the state, is expected to meet soon to take a call on when to begin sugar production. Mills from the drought-hit areas want an early beginning.
The Western India Sugar Mills Association (WISMA), which represents the private sugar mills from the state, has written to the Centre and the state government, requesting to begin the
