PUNE: “Sugar industry is the backbone of farmers and the State government is supporting it. However, due to the drought situation, farmers and sugarcane industries will have to work together with the State government to save the industry,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Pune on Saturday.
He was in the city to take part in 42th annual general body meeting and prize distribution function of Vasantdada Sugar Institute located at Manjari. Former Union agriculture minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar, senior NCP leaders Ajit Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat, Jayant Patil, Dilip Walse and Member of Parliament (MP) Vijaysinh Mohite were present.
He further said, “The government has decided to provide Rs 40 lakh subsidy to sugarcane harvesters. It is one of the maximum Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane in the country, which the government is providing to farmers. We will also request the Union government to increase minimum support price (MSP) from Rs 21 to Rs 39 per kg. Pawar appreciated the government decision He said, “160 lakh tonnes of sugar has accumulated due to excessive production. This has caused sugar rates to come down.”
He pointed out that the industry may face problems next year.