Sugarcane harvesting slowed down to lowest level following PSMA chairman's strong reservation over the state set minimum support price set by the state and his demand for downward revision of price structure.
The growers have slowed down harvesting till they are assured of getting the notified price of Rs 43 per 40 kg sugarcane with the result that 16 out of 28 sugar mills, soon after the commencement of crushing halted their operation due to extremely poor arrivals of sugarcane at mills gate.
The meeting of stakeholders in sugar sector held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Wednesday and attended by the representatives of PSMA, growers, Sindh Chief Secretary, Provincial Food and Agriculture Minister and agriculture secretary, failed to resolve the problem when the growers refused to accept any downward revision in price structure. It was decided to constitute a joint committee to examine the price structure of the end-produce. It has been decided that the price of sugar would be fixed with the consensus of opinion of cane growers and mills owners.
It was also decided that all sugar mills in the province would start their crushing operation from November 20, almost 50 days after the first notification of crushing season date which virtually neutralised the government and growers with regard to negative impact on wheat sowing.
Meanwhile, some sugar mills continued their crushing operation after negotiation with growers that they would be paid price of their produce after the final decision of price of sugarcane or sugar.
Sources close to Sindh Agriculture Ministry told Business Recorder that change in notified price was not possible unless a consensus was developed in growers and mills owners.
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