Raju Shetti Calls for Urgent Cane Price Announcement Ahead of 2026-27 Season
Former MP Raju Shetti demands immediate sugarcane pricing from mills, planning a rally to support a Rs 5,000 per tonne price.
Raju Shetti urges Maharashtra CM to announce cane prices promptly.
A motorcycle rally is scheduled for October 25 to mobilize farmers.
Shetti demands an increase in sugar's minimum selling price to Rs 50 per kg.
In Kolhapur, Raju Shetti, a former Member of Parliament and leader of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, has called on Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that sugar mills announce the procurement prices for sugarcane ahead of the 2026-27 crushing season. Shetti emphasized the urgency of this announcement during a gathering with farmers, highlighting the need for timely communication to facilitate planning for the upcoming season.
Shetti's appeal comes as he draws comparisons with Karnataka, where Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has organized a meeting on October 26 to address sugarcane pricing with growers and mill representatives. He believes Maharashtra should adopt similar proactive measures to support its farmers. The former MP warned that any mills failing to declare a fair cane price before the season's start would face opposition from farmers, who are prepared to escalate their protests if their demands remain unaddressed.
The leader also mentioned that Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi had previously assured farmer organizations that a committee would review sugarcane-related issues and make a decision on the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar by November 20. Shetti is advocating for an increase in the MSP to Rs 50 per kg, arguing that the current price has not changed in eight years despite rising production costs and market fluctuations.
Shetti contends that raising the MSP would not only enhance the financial stability of sugar mills but would also enable them to offer better prices to sugarcane farmers without exacerbating inflation. He believes this adjustment is crucial for improving the overall economic health of the sugar industry.
To rally support for these demands, Shetti has organized a motorcycle rally on October 25, which will start in Hatkanangle and traverse through Panhala, Karvir, and Kagal tehsils, concluding at Kasba Sangao village. This event aims to unite farmers and exert pressure on both the state government and sugar mill operators to announce cane prices before the commencement of crushing operations.
