About 17.5L tonnes of sugarcane still lying uncut in Maha

AURANGABAD: Around 17.5 lakh tonnes of sugarcane is still lying uncut in farms across Maha although the crushing season has ended, but majority of this stock shall be crushed by the end of this month and over 30 sugar mills will remain functional till it is over, official said.

The sugarcane crushing season in Maharashtra generally starts in October-november and continues till mid-april.

Out of the 10 districts in Maharashtra that have topped the list of excess sugarcane stock this year, seven are from the Marathwada region.

“After good rains last year, the area under sugarcane cultivation in the state increased significantly. Even after the sugarcane crushing season has got over, the state still has around 17.5 lakh tonnes of sugarcane standing in farms, waiting to be crushed. Hence, crushing in some parts of the state may continue till the first week of June,” he said.

Maharashtra sugar commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad said, “The quantum of sugarcane currently standing in the farms across the state is around 17.5 lakh tonnes. Most of this crop will be crushed by May 31. In parts of Ahmednagar and Jalna districts, the crushing activity may continue till June.”

“So far, we have succeeded in bringing 129 harvesters from other states and all are working in . Marathwada. In Jalna alone, 29 harvesters are working at present,” he said.

Sugarcane crushing season in Maharashtra generally starts in October-november and continues till mid-april