Uttar Pradesh sugar mills have accelerated their cane crushing operations and notched up production volumes, which are already seven times, compared to the 2015-16 crushing season.
Against the production of 0.1 million tonne (mt) of sugar last year, the state mills have already produced 0.75 mt of the sweetener so far.
Meanwhile, 100 mills have started crushing operations in the state against 50 units last year in the same period.
Likewise, the UP mills have crushed nearly 7.8 mt of cane against 1.17 mt last year, pegging sugar recovery percentage at 9.71 per cent and 9.19 per cent, respectively. Sugar recovery is the ratio of sugar produced per unit of cane; higher percentage indicates higher sugar output.
According to estimates, UP mills are likely to crush nearly 75 mt of cane and produce over 7.6 mt of sugar during 2016-17 against 6.85 mt last year.
Sugarcane is a major cash crop in UP and there are four million rural households engaged in cane farming. UP and Maharashtra are India’s top sugarcane and sugar producers and contribute 50 per cent to India’s annual production.
The private mills dominate UP sugar sector with 92 of total 117 mills. The cooperative sector comprises 24 mills, while UP State Sugarcane Corporation Limited (UPPSCL) controls one mill.