PUNE: The Maharashtra government has decided to commence the 2018-19 sugarcane crushing season early from October 20 as the area under sugarcane has increased than normal. “This is a good decision as there is surplus cane in many districts. Harvesting labour will also become available as the season will begin after Dassehra,” said sugar consultant Vijay Autade. 

The state reduced the estimate of sugar production to 100 lakh tonnes from earlier estimate of 105 lakh tonnes due to deficient rainfall in some regions. 

Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana has said that they will allow mills to begin operations only after there is clarity on sugarcane payments. “We will announce the price that farmers want in our sugarcane conference to be held in Jaisingpur on September 27,” said Raju Shetty, founder leader of the Sangathana.