Maharashtra, Karnataka farmers reject early sugarcane crushing without compensation

Farmers' organizations in Maharashtra and Karnataka are resisting the government's proposal to begin sugarcane crushing earlier than scheduled. They are demanding compensation for lower recovery rates and higher prices for both sugar and ethanol before agreeing to the plan.

A meeting with Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has been scheduled to address these concerns. Farmers argue that crushing immature sugarcane could result in substantial financial losses for both farmers and sugar mills, making the early harvest economically unviable without adequate safeguards.