Sugarcane is one of the least mechanised crops, especially when it comes to harvesting and threshing. The data shows that only 10 per cent of field operations in sugarcane planting and harvesting are mechanised.
But the picture might change in the next few seasons. According to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories, at the beginning of sugar crushing season this year, mills in Maharashtra had placed orders for about 200 harvesters. Next season, many mills in Uttar Pradesh the largest sugarcane producer State might opt for the same model.
It is not only sugar mills, but big farmers also are purchasing sugar harvesters so that they can complete operations faster and don’t have to rely on cane cutters.
About 70 Maharashtra sugar mills gear up for oxygen manufacturing
May 04, 2021
15 mills have placed orders for skid-mounted oxygen manufacturing units
To meet the rising demand for medical oxygen to treat Covid-19 patients, about 70 sugar mills in Maharashtra are gearing up for manufacturing oxygen.
“This is a timely step taken by mills in Maharashtra. About 25 mills are already in the process to set up oxygen plants and we are focusing on about 60-70 sugar mills that have financially performed very well. Majority of these mills are in rural areas and the demand for oxygen here could be met by sugar mills,” said Prakash Naiknavare, MD, National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF).
Co-op millers oppose sugar sales quota
Cooperative millers have therefore opposed the 22 lakh tonne of sugar sales quota given for April. With restrictions coming into place due to surge in Covid cases, millers said meeting the increased quota will be difficult and is likely to result in lapsed quotas, reports Financial Express.
Jaiprakash Dandegoankar, president of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories, said restrictions have affected sale of sugar as consumption in hotels and restaurants has taken a hit and mills have been finding it difficult to meet their sales quota, resulting in a liquidity crisis.
The 2020-21 sugar season in Maharashtra is in its last leg and is likely to end by May 15, top officials said. Sugar production has already touched 105 lakh tonne and is likely to reach 107 lakh tonne, Shekhar Gaikwad, state sugar commissioner, told FE.
A news outlet reports the Wuhan virus made it difficult for cooperative sugar factories to sell even 50 percent of the quota released by the central govt at the rate