This year sugar production is supposed to be less by 20 lakh tonne. According to govt sources, sugar production will stand at 260 lakh tonne in the current marketing year -2015-16.
The fall in sugar production is largely due to less precipitation experienced in Maharashtra and Karnataka in the last marketing year 2014-15 [ Sept-Oct] sugar production stood at 281 lakh tonne. India is second largest sugar producing country in the world.
It is a matter of anxiety as sugar production is being controlled mostly by cooperative bodies in the country. Several cooperative mills have issue of meager finance with farmers’ dues running into crores of rupees.
Sources say sugar industry body ISSMA , however, does not agree with the govt estimate. The ISSMA says sugar production will count 270 lakh tonne in the current marketing year.
Sources add the govt. does not worry as it claims even the reduced production will be enough to meet domestic demand.