Maharashtra government to lead farmers' delegation seeking higher sugar and cane prices

The Maharashtra government plans to lead a delegation of sugarcane farmers and industry representatives to the central government to demand increases in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar and the fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane.

Farmers are seeking to raise the sugar MSP from Rs 31 per kg to Rs 50 per kg and the ethanol procurement price from Rs 58 to Rs 70 per litre. They are also requesting a higher FRP to offset losses caused by declining yields and lower sugar recovery rates. Protests have already impacted operations, with four sugar mills in the Sangli district suspending work due to agitations led by the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana.

In support of the movement, the Karahad Bar Association has pledged to provide free legal services to protesters if criminal charges are filed against them. The association emphasized that sugarcane producers are the backbone of the rural economy and require fair compensation to cover rising costs for labor, fertilizer, and transport.