Maharashtra Sugar Commissioner to Meet Farmers on October 14

Maharashtra's Sugar Commissioner, Sanjay Kolte, is scheduled to meet with a delegation of farmers on October 14 to discuss pressing demands related to the sugarcane industry. This meeting follows a protest organized by various farmers' groups at the Sugar Commissionerate in Pune, where they voiced concerns over the upcoming 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season and other industry-related matters. The meeting is set for 3 PM at the ministry, and it was announced after Kolte visited the protest site, where he delivered a letter to the farmers, leading to the conclusion of the agitation.

The farmers are advocating for the crushing season to commence on November 15 instead of the initially proposed October 15. They argue that insufficient rainfall in many regions of Maharashtra has hindered the growth and maturity of sugarcane. In addition to this, they are calling for the elimination of the 25-km aerial distance requirement between sugar factories and an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar from the current Rs 31 per kg to Rs 55 per kg.

Further demands from the farmers include the establishment of a two-tier pricing system for sugar, differentiating between domestic and industrial consumption, and a payment mechanism that reflects actual sugar realizations for sugarcane growers. They are also insisting that sugar factories should not receive licenses for the current season until they settle outstanding Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) dues from the previous season, including applicable interest. Additionally, they seek accountability for factories that fail to submit FRP and revenue-sharing formula returns punctually.

To enhance transparency in the weighing of sugarcane, the farmers have proposed the introduction of flying squads for surprise inspections of factory scales. They also demand the installation of government-approved weighing scales at all sugar factories, funded by a deduction of Rs 2 per tonne from payments to sugarcane growers. The farmers are also pushing for uniform pricing for factory members and non-members in the Marathwada region and the recovery of interest on delayed FRP payments.

The upcoming meeting on October 14 is anticipated to serve as a significant platform for discussing the farmers' concerns regarding the crushing schedule, sugar pricing, and regulatory practices within Maharashtra's sugar industry. Jalindar Patil, president of the Shiv Sena Shetkari Sena, emphasized that their protest aims to benefit both sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry, highlighting the adverse effects of below-normal rainfall on sugarcane growth and the necessity of a fair pricing structure to support the industry's financial health.