Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 13 (HBTV): The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced an increase of INR 30 per quintal in sugarcane prices for the 2025–26 crushing season, marking a major decision benefiting millions of sugarcane farmers across the state.
Under the revised rates, early varieties of sugarcane will fetch INR 400 per quintal, while normal varieties will be priced at INR 390 per quintal. The increase is expected to generate an additional INR 3,000 crore in payments to sugarcane farmers statewide.
The government stated that this hike reflects its consistent policy of ensuring remunerative returns to farmers for their produce. Since 2017, the Yogi administration has raised sugarcane support prices four times — a record unmatched in the past decade.
According to official data, sugarcane farmers have received payments worth INR 290,225 crore over the last eight and a half years, compared to INR 147,346 crore disbursed between 2007 and 2017. Uttar Pradesh, which operates 122 sugar mills, now ranks second in the country in sugar production.
The state’s sugar industry — once plagued by mismanagement — has been revived through what the government describes as transparent and investor-friendly policies. The sector has attracted INR 12,000 crore in new investments, leading to the establishment of four new sugar mills, the reopening of six closed units, and capacity expansion at 42 existing mills.
Payments are now made directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Uttar Pradesh has also emerged as a leader in ethanol production, with output rising from 410 million litres to 1,820 million litres, and the number of distilleries increasing from 61 to 97.
Additionally, sugarcane acreage in the state has expanded from 20 lakh hectares to 29.51 lakh hectares, reinforcing Uttar Pradesh’s position as India’s top sugarcane-producing state.
(ANI)