Mind the gap: The sugarcane price difference between Karnataka and Maharashtra has widened from Rs 300 per tonne last season to Rs 600 this year (Representational image)
Besides, sugarcane is harvested once in 12 to 14 months in Maharashtra, while in Karnataka it is harvested every nine to 10 months,” he said. Because sugar recovery and harvesting cycles vary, chunappa Pujeri, state president of the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangh and Hasiru Sene, said the difference was understandable. Because sugar recovery in Maharashtra is higher than in Karnataka, “Although the difference in cane prices between Karnataka and Maharashtra appears significant, it is understandable.
Industry sources said some Maharashtra cane reaches Karnataka factories, but the flow from Karnataka to Maharashtra generally increases when prices there are more attractive. Farmer leaders said Karnataka mills could struggle to attract border-area cane unless the state govt improves returns through the proposed incentive or higher sugar prices. “We are also pressing the state govt to announce a higher incentive so that farmers get justice,” he said.
Pujeri hoped Karnataka’s revenue-sharing model would help farmers secure better returns.