Lok Sabha Question No. 2407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Assistance to Sugarcane Farmers of Maharashtra
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Prataprao  Jadhav, Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2407 To BE ANSWERED ON 15TH MARCH, 2023

## ASSISTANCE TO SUGARCANE FARMERS OF MAHARASHTRA

2407 . SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND be pleased to state:

PUBLIC

- (a) whether sugar production is likely to fall in the country particularly in the State of Maharashtra  during the current year 2022-23 to adverse climatic conditions like continuous rains, etc-, in different parts of the State;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and its likely impact on sugar production and other associated things;
- (c) whether the Union Government has sentl proposes to send a team to assess the losses suffered by the sugarcane farmers in the State of Maharashtra;
- (d) if the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and s0,
- (e) the details of other stepslmeasures takenl taken by the Union Government to pull out the sugarcane farmers from this crisis? being

## ANSWE R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)and(b): In current Sugar Season 2022-23, sugar production is estimated to be little less than last season in the country due to decline in production in some States including Maharashtra and Karnataka while some States like Tamil Nadu may have higher production than last season.

During Sugar Season 2021-22, India had produced 359 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) sugar excluding diversion of 36 LMT sugar for ethanol production: In current  Sugar Season 2022-23, based on the information given by State Cane Commissioners, sugar production is estimated to be more than 330 LMT excluding diversion of LMT sugar for ethanol production:

Despite the slight decline as mentioned above, sugar production in current season is the second highest in last 4 seasons (after last season 2021-22).

Further, sufficient sugar mill remain available for domestic consumption throughout the year:

- (c): Though sugarcane production has declined in Maharashtra this season, yield of sugarcane in Maharashtra is still among the highest in the country:
- (DJ: Does not arise.
- (e): The Central Government has taken various policy interventions and launched many schemes for financial assistance to sugar mills in last 5 years to ensure timely payment of cane dues to farmers- Further, export of surplus sugar and diversion of sugar to ethanol production has made the sugar industry self-sustainable leading to better financial position of sugar mills and sugarcane farmers:

As a result, 99.7 % cane dues of last season 2021-22 have already been cleared by sugar mills while more than 99.9% cane dues of  earlier seasons have also been cleared.