Mumbai, Sep 30 (NationPress) The sugarcane crushing season for the year 2025-26 is set to commence on November 1, as various regions in Maharashtra have suffered significant damage from severe rainfall and flooding.

The announcement was made during a meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday.

Fadnavis mentioned that this year, the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane will be Rs 3,550 per metric tonne, along with a basic subsidy of 10.25 percent.

In the previous season, around 200 sugar factories, which included 99 cooperatives and 101 private factories, processed sugarcane. An FRP of Rs 31,301 crore was disbursed to farmers.

The state has successfully paid 99.06 percent of the FRP, with 148 factories having settled their payments in full.

In the co-generation initiative, the factories exported 298 crore units of electricity in the year 2024-25, generating an income of Rs 1,979 crore from these exports.

Furthermore, Rs 6,378 crore was earned from ethanol sales, as stated by the Chief Minister.

According to a government release, the meeting also addressed the challenges of mechanization in sugarcane harvesting and the cogeneration of electricity.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis reassured that the state government is committed to supporting flood victims. The cabinet has resolved to implement all concessions and measures for farmers and disaster-affected residents, mirroring those provided during previous crises.

He emphasized that banks have been instructed to halt loan recoveries from farmers impacted by the disaster.

“Farmers are currently facing hardships. To alleviate this, clear directives have been issued to banks to cease recovery activities. Additionally, wheat, rice, pulses, and other essential goods are being distributed to families affected by the floods. The state government will also extend assistance for damages beyond the central government's criteria, especially concerning well-digging and agricultural land erosion. Damage assessments will be finalized within two to three days, with a proposal to be submitted to the Centre next week,” stated the Chief Minister.

He also noted that without waiting for central assistance, the state has begun utilizing its own funds to support those affected by the rain and flooding. The state government anticipates reimbursement from the Centre for these expenditures.