Maha coop sugar mills mull paying more to farmers as tax demand settles

Sugar farmers hold key to several seats in the state

With the Centre clearing the air on the imbroglio over taxes on payments of sugarcane prices over and above the fair and remunerative price (FRP) or statutory minimum price (SMP), several sugar mills in the cooperative sector are now looking to pay a cane price that is Rs. 20-30 per quintal more than the average FRP for the 2023-24 season to farmers, informed industry sources.

This could come as a bonanza for farmers associated with these cooperative sugar mills as members, a significant number of whom are in the politically critical state of Maharashtra.

According to industry sources, there are