Last year, the crushing season started on October 15. This time, it was late by a fortnight and started in November. This year, the mills are facing shortage of thew primary raw material, ie sugar cane.

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The cultivation of sugar cane has dropped to 14.07 lakh hectares, a fall of 6% as compared to last year.
Initially, Kolhapur region, comprising Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts, lagged in sugar production due to agitations. However, Kolhapur has surpassed all other regions by contributing nearly 85 lakh quintals, followed by Pune region with 84 lakh quintals, and Solapur at 71 lakh quintals.

Kolhapur region has reported highest sugar recovery rate of 10.09%, which is higher than the average 8.90%. Currently, 195 mills are engaged in crushing, while 201 mills were operational last year. Vijay Autade, an industry expert, said, “Overall decline in cultivation of sugar cane, productivity loss due to rainfall deficiency are reasons for less sugar production. The mills will run for a month from now, against usually four full months’ season. The dip in sugar production is going to impact prices. The millers are rolling out incentives for cane farmers. The mills are likely to struggle for sugar cane from mid-January.”

Shahu Sugar Mill of Kagal has decided to grant incentive of Rs 50 per tonne to farmers who send their cane to the mill between January 16 and January 31, Rs 100 per tonne for the period between February 1 and 15, and additional Rs 50 per tonne if sugar cane is sent between February 16 to 28. Sugar cane farmers who send their produce after March 1 will get an additional incentive of Rs 200 per tonne.

Earlier, Warna Sugar Mill run by MLA Vinay Kore had announced various sops for cane farmers. It has announced lucky draw for farmers, according to which selected farmers who send their cane in March will receive motorcycles or be eligible for foreign trips.

Congress MLC Satej Patil said he would stage a protest on Tuesday at the office of deputy director of sugar, Kolhapur, with his farmer supporters. His supporters alleged that Rajaram Sugar Mill was not sending cutters to cut their cane and transport to mill.

Recently, Amal Mahadik, a traditional rival of Patil won the mill election. “There is bias towards farmers who supported our leader during the recent election,” said Shrikant Patil, a supporter of Satej Patil.