(MOREPIC1) Raj Sadosh/Abohar.
The new sugarcane crushing season officially commenced today at Sriganganagar Government Sugar Mill located in Kaminpura village. Ceremonies were attended by District Collector Dr. Manju, Mill General Manager Pradeep Arora, BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani, former MP Shankar Pannu, BJP District President Sharanpal Singh.
The mill management had started distributing slips to farmers for bringing sugarcane a few days ago. Now, farmers will bring their sugarcane to the mill in sequence as per these slips. It is expected that this season will last for about two months, during which around 12 lakh quintals of sugarcane will be crushed. Approximately one lakh quintals of sugar are likely to be produced.
There has been a decrease in production this time. Last season, 17 lakh quintals of sugarcane were crushed, resulting in about 1.75 lakh quintals of sugar production. The main reason for this shortfall is the failure of Rajasthan's Water Resources Department to receive the allocated share of water from Punjab through the Gang Canal. Due to water scarcity, farmers faced significant difficulties during sugarcane sowing and crop maturation. Many farmers were unable to sow sugarcane at all, while others were forced to sow in smaller areas. In the remaining areas, they prioritized other crops.
The total sugarcane production in the area under the cooperative sugar mill is expected to be between 14 to 15 lakh quintals.
Sriganganagar Government Sugar Mills awaits the appointment of a full-time general manager for a long time. Currently, Pradeep Arora has been given the additional charge of general manager, while he is serving as the GST Commissioner. He had performed the same role in the previous season as well.
On December 5, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced an increase of Rs 16 per quintal in the support price for sugarcane, this brings the price at par with Punjab and Haryana.
