Parliament Question: Increase in Sugarcane Production in Maharashtra

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Parliament Question: Increase in Sugarcane Production in Maharashtra The production of Sugarcane has increased from 1,099.70 lakh tonnes during 2024-25 to 1,316.49 lakh tonnes during 2025-26 प्रव तथ: 21 JUL 2026 6:56PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai : 21 July 2026 The production of Sugarcane has increased from 1,099.70 lakh tonnes during 2024- 25 to 1,316.49 lakh tonnes during 2025-26 (3rd Advance Estimates) in the State of Maharashtra.

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), through its Regional and Central Integrated Pest management Centers at Nagpur and Nashik regularly conducts pest surveillance and disseminates Integrated Pest Management (IPM) knowledge through training programmes like Farmers Field Schools, Season Long Training Programme and Orientation Programme.

Surveys were conducted in various districts of Maharashtra and infestation of red rot disease in sugarcane above Economic Threshold Level (ETL) was observed in 34 Ha only out of 4295 Ha surveyed during 2024-2025. Similarly, infestation above ETL was observed in 5 Ha only out 1450 Ha surveyed in 2025-2026. Accordingly, advisories were issued to farmers.

As per inputs received from Department of Food and Public Distribution, the State Government systematically assesses estimation of area and productivity of sugarcane. Sugar recovery depends closely on the specific crop variety, soil conditions, weather parameters, and several other regional agro-climatic factors. As per recent concluded crushing season, the average sugar recovery rate was recorded at 11.26% across Maharashtra. There were a total of 210 operational sugar mills (of both cooperative and private crushing entities) during current sugar season across the state. In terms of impact on farmer incomes, the implementation of regulatory payout mechanisms remains highly effective, with approximately

99.6% of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payments successfully disbursed to growers during current sugar season.

To build long-term economic resilience, the State Government continuously encourages mills to diversify their revenue streams, including the setting up and technical upgradation of co-generation power plants and ethanol distillation unitsunder the National Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), thereby enabling mills to optimize cash flows and become less dependent on sugar market price volatility alone.

Further, the Central Government has increased the Fair and Remunerative Price

(FRP) of sugarcane for the ensuing Sugar Season 2026–27 to Rs. 365 per quintal, up from Rs. 355 per quintal in the current Sugar Season 2025–26, based on a sugar recovery rate of 10.25% During 2014-25, a total of 341 Drought tolerant Varieties have been released by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), out of which 36 are of Sugarcane.

As informed by the State Government, the State of Maharashtra has been implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme National Food and Nutrition Security Mission (NFNSM) – Commercial crop: Sugarcane Development Programme since 2014-15. Under NFNSM, emphasis has been given on transfer of technology through demonstrations and training in order to extend benefits to the farmers.

Under the programme, the following components are being implemented: (a) demonstration on inter-cropping and single bud chip technology with sugarcane, (b) assistance for breeder seed production, (c) tissue culture plantlets, (d) State level training for 2 days, (e) Distribution of plant protection and bio agents; (f) Local initiatives Raton and Trash Management distribution and Supercane nursery.

Rs. 415.02 lakhs has been allocated to Maharashtra for implementation of the activities of NFSNM-Sugarcane during 2026-27.

Further, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) through the ongoing All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sugarcane and AICRP on Biological Control, undertakes breeding of sugarcane varieties with resistance to diseases and pests, surveillance of disease of sugarcane and training programmes for farmers on sugarcane production.

Statement of Area, Production and Yield of Sugarcane in Maharashtra Area in Lakh Ha, Production in Lakh Tonnes & Yield in Kg/Ha Area Production Yield 2024-25 2025-26 2024- 25 2025-26 2024-25 2025-26

11.67 13.72 1,099.70 1,316.49 94,230 95,963#Data for 2025-26 is as per 3rd Advance Estimates This Information was submitted by The Minister Of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Sh. Ram Nath Thakur in a written reply in the LOK SABHA today.

PIB Mumbai | Harshal Akude/ Priti Malandkar

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