More mills apply for sugarcane crushing licence this season in Maharashtra

The 2022-23 sugarcane crushing season (October-November) is set to see a record number of mills in operation in Maharashtra. While the season started officially from the start of October, mills became operational only from the first week of November.

The 215 mills include 16 which were closed last season or have applied for fresh licences this season. Ten of these mills are cooperative while the rest are private. Most of the cooperative mills have been taken on lease by private players to operationalise them for this season. Till Monday, 93 mills have become operational, of which 47 are private while 46 are cooperative. Heavy rains have led to mills delaying their operations.

Issues like financial viability and preparedness play an important role in the final decision of being operational. Some mills have reported a lower presence of labourers, who either decided to stay back in their districts to tend to their rabi crop or preferred to work in mills in their areas.

The sugar commissioner’s office issues licences for crushing without which mills are not expected to start their operation. Sugar commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad has refused to issue licences to mills which failed to clear their payment for the previous season.

While Maharashtra is expected to produce 137 lakh tonnes of sugar this season, lower yields have put a question mark on the final production. This season would get over by April end as against the previous estimates of mid-May, according to sources.