Sugarcane

Maharashtra and Gujarat are among the states where a significant portion of the sugar production is through cooperatives

With a high differential in pricing vis-a-vis normal plastics, and backed by a generous Uttar Pradesh policy, sugar producers eye new opportunities in the climate-friendly product

Delays in the crushing season, which is impacting key states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, are contributing to the drop in sugar prices, says ISMA president

The sugar supply situation that has turned positive in the last few months will continue to remain comfortable next season as well

The government on Tuesday notified exports of 8,606 tonnes of raw cane sugar under the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) scheme to the US for the October 2024 - September 2025 period. Shipments under the TRQ enjoy relatively lesser customs duties. After the quota is reached, a higher tariff applies to additional imports. "The quantity of 8,606 MTRV (metric tonnes raw value) of raw cane sugar to be exported to USA under TRQ scheme from 01.10.2024 to 30.09.2025 has been notified," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a public notice. A similar quantity was notified in January also. India, the world's second-biggest producer and the largest consumer of sugar, has a preferential quota arrangement for sugar export with the European Union as well. The DGFT said that the quota will be operated by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

he world's second-biggest sugar producer imposed restrictions on diverting sugar for ethanol production in December 2023 to increase sugar output after cane crop was hit by below-average monsoon rains

Joint meeting of all associations to be convened to form a common response before September deadline

Easing maize supply woes would also benefit user industries like poultry feed, starch, and ethanol

Some reports say the maize-based industry has demanded immediate imports of 5 million tonnes of duty-free imports to tide over the supply crunch

Industry experts anticipate a shift back to sugarcane-based molasses as the primary feedstock for ethanol production next year, driven by expected surplus sugar supplies and calls to lift restrictions

Animal rights group PETA India on Wednesday said India's position as a major global sugarcane producer offers significant opportunities for expanding the use of sugarcane-based vegan leather. The organisation highlighted that India's vast sugarcane production could be leveraged to effectively utilise sugarcane waste through technology developed by PA Footwear P Ltd, a company specialising in vegan leather alternatives. India, the world's second-largest sugar producer after Brazil, grows sugarcane in 55-60 million hectares area. "India is one of the largest producers of sugarcane globally, so PA Footwear P Ltd's technology presents a significant opportunity to utilise sugarcane waste effectively," PETA India said in a statement. PA Footwear P Ltd, in partnership with the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, has developed Vegan Virya, a leather alternative made primarily from sugarcane. The material has received "PETA-Approved Vegan" certification from PET

Research and sharing of best practices among nations are crucial for high-yield, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties and innovative uses of the commodity, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday. The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution also said that sugar production is expected to be good this year depending upon the rains. He made the remarks at the 64th International Sugar Organisation (ISO) Council Meeting in the national capital. "Sharing best practices and fostering research collaboration across nations is vital. Let us work together to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties, explore innovative uses for sugarcane, and promote sustainable practices throughout the value chain," Joshi said. He said that advanced technologies across the sugar value chain should be increasingly adapted as they will be crucial for reducing waste and ensuring the sustainability of the industry. The nation is committed to actively collaborating wit

India's ambitious plans for an agri-derived ethanol-fuelled transport sector rest on the twin pillars of remunerative rates and agricultural yields

The 121 operating mills in UP, with a combined cane crushing capacity of 0.84 million tonnes (mt) crushed per day (TCD), have so far crushed 98 mt of the cash crop, producing 10.33 mt of sugar

5 million sugarcane farmers on radar of contesting parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his government is making efforts to make the sugarcane belts across the country into "energy belts," a reference to the use of ethanol as fuel. Addressing a poll rally here in the sugarcane belt of Uttar Pradesh, Modi said, "Friends, we don't want to limit the sugarcane crop to sugar and jaggery. We want to make every sugarcane belt of the country into an energy belt." The PM said that the amount of ethanol produced from sugarcane has gone up in the last 10 years. "Work is on to manufacture ethanol from sugarcane to be used as fuel for vehicles. Because of this, in the last ten years, around Rs 70,000 crore have been paid to sugarcane farmers," he said. Modi also hit out at the opposition governments for neglecting the sugarcane farmers and shortchanging former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, a prominent farmer leader. "The INDI Alliance that hates farmers did not give due respect to Chaudhary Charan Singh. When discussions w

ISMA has appointed Deepak Ballani as its new Director General

Techniques such as drip irrigation, water resource augmentation, and mechanised harvesting are vital

The farm community in western Uttar Pradesh has given a mixed response to the government's decision to increase Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to Rs 340 per quintal. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday decided to hike the minimum price that mills have to pay to sugarcane growers by Rs 25 to Rs 340 per quintal for the 2024-25 season starting October. This is the highest FRP for sugarcane announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government since coming to power in 2014. Dismayed over the decision, Baghpat District President of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) Pratap Singh Gurjar said the government has forgotten its own promise. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself promised to give MSP of Rs 450 per quintal to cane during a public rally in Meerut in 2014 elections," he claimed. "We (farmers) are also consumers. The government should also remember this. We also have to buy petrol, diesel, fertilizer, seeds etc. All these things are becoming expensive. MSP on sugarca

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underlined his government's commitment to fulfilling its pledge for the welfare of farmers, asserting that a "historic" hike in sugarcane's price is part of such efforts. This will benefit crores of sugarcane farmers, he said in a series of posts on X, highlighting several decisions taken by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. The Cabinet meeting headed by Modi hiked the minimum price that mills have to pay to sugarcane growers by Rs 25 to Rs 340 per quintal for the 2024-25 season starting October. An official statement had said after the decision, "The new FRP will ensure prosperity of sugarcane farmers. It is noteworthy that India is already paying the highest price of sugarcane in the world and despite that the government is ensuring the world's cheapest sugar to domestic consumers." Reacting to other Cabinet decisions, he said the step taken by it relating to the National Livestock Mission will bring exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs