📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Alosh Bennett
Agriculture
Maharashtra farmers demand uniform sugarcane price, meet Cooperative Minister
✍️ Amar Ujala · Maharashtra
🗓 10 Nov 2026, 02:45 PM
👁 24
Farmers’ groups across Maharashtra urged a single state‑wide price for sugarcane and met the state’s Cooperative Minister to press the demand.
A coalition of farmer organisations representing sugarcane growers in Maharashtra gathered in the state capital to demand a uniform price for the crop across all districts. The groups argue that the current system, which allows separate price negotiations with each sugar mill, creates disparities and undermines growers’ income.
The delegations met with the Maharashtra Cooperative Minister, who acknowledged the concerns and said the government would review the pricing mechanism. Officials indicated that any change would require consultation with the Sugarcane Board and the state’s agricultural department.
While no specific price figure was announced, the farmers stressed that a single, transparent rate would help stabilize earnings and reduce regional inequities. The meeting is expected to be followed by a broader consultation process involving mill owners and the state’s finance ministry.
The demand comes amid a broader national debate on agricultural pricing reforms, with several states reviewing similar mechanisms for staple crops. Maharashtra’s large sugarcane output makes the issue particularly significant for the state’s rural economy.
The delegations met with the Maharashtra Cooperative Minister, who acknowledged the concerns and said the government would review the pricing mechanism. Officials indicated that any change would require consultation with the Sugarcane Board and the state’s agricultural department.
While no specific price figure was announced, the farmers stressed that a single, transparent rate would help stabilize earnings and reduce regional inequities. The meeting is expected to be followed by a broader consultation process involving mill owners and the state’s finance ministry.
The demand comes amid a broader national debate on agricultural pricing reforms, with several states reviewing similar mechanisms for staple crops. Maharashtra’s large sugarcane output makes the issue particularly significant for the state’s rural economy.