"The production in the upcoming sugarcane season might be adversely affected in Maharashtra due to prevailing drought condition", Pawar said while addressing the annual general meeting (AGM) of Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) at Manjari near here.
Pawar said cane growers should resort to drop irrigation method in order to save water and go in for the newly-developed varieties of the crop facilitated by VSI.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who was also present on the occasion, said the state had accorded top priority to drinking water in Marathwada, North Maharashtra and Pune district which are facing severe water shortage.
"Water shortage in the state would affect the sugarcane yield in the state and sugar industry as a result", Chavan said, adding that he would discuss the problems being faced by the sugar industry here with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
