Saraswati mills to start sugarcane crushing operations from Nov 12

In a relief to about 22,000 farmers/sugarcane producers, the management of Saraswati Sugar Mills (SSM), Yamunanagar, one of the largest sugar mills of the country, has decided to start its sugarcane crushing operations on November 12.

This decision will help farmers sow wheat crop timely as it is sown in about 25,000 to 30,000 acres after harvesting the sugarcane crop in the command area of the SSM every year.

“Keeping in mind the production and availability of sugarcane, the mill management has decided to start the crushing operation of the mill from November 12,” said SK Sachdeva, Chief Executive of the SSM.

He said all necessary trials of the mill had been completed.

“In this crushing season, we will start an advance token system for the supply of sugarcane so that farmers have to spend less time in the mill yard,” said SK Sachdeva.

Farmer Krishan Pal Jathlana said that most of the small farmers sow wheat crop after harvesting their sugarcane crop.

“Saraswati Sugar Mill plays an important role in sowing wheat crops. Most of the small farmers wait for the sugar mill to start as they are able to sow wheat crop only after harvesting their sugarcane crop,” said farmer Krishan Pal.

DP Singh, Senior Vice-President of the SSM, said that the mill management had fixed a target of crushing 160 lakh quintal sugarcane this year.

He said that the crop had been grown in 85,000 acres this year in the command area of the SSM.

He added that the estimated cane production was about 250 lakh quintals.

The government has already announced the rate of sugarcane at Rs 400 per quintal for this crushing season.