Maharashtra mills crush largest volume of cane

PUNE: Maharashtra sugar mills crushed the largest quantity of cane in state’s history this season. The mills have crushed 801 lakh tonne cane till Saturday, surpassing the earlier record of 798.49 lakh tonne cane in 2006-07. But the state could not record the highest sugar production due to a fall in the recovery. The mills produced 904 lakh quintal sugar at a recovery rate of 11.28%.

The state, which ranks first in sugar production in the country, had produced 909.47 lakh quintal at the recovery rate of 11.39%. Cane growth this year was stunted due to unseasonal rainfall. There was a delay in crushing due to late rainfall and wet fields. The bumper cane production this year had given sleepless nights to the state government, which had to compensate farmers for uncrushed cane last year.

The state government has given a transport subsidy and a subsidy to cover the loss of recovery due to a delay in crushing which went on till May and June. Though rains have covered the state, 15 mills are crushing cane. According to estimates, two lakh tonne cane has not been harvested. Six mills are expected to operate till the cane in their area gets over. This can add two lakh tonne more sugar to the state output.