Sugarcane farmers, especially in Maharashtra, have been expressing grievance over pending payments from sugar mills or looking to supply cane to neighbouring Karnataka as mills near their home have closed.

Sugarcane is one of the most beneficial crops and yet, there are problems for growers on the payment front.

Maharashtra growers are the most affected with the mills there getting prices below the minimum sale price level (MSP) fixed by the Centre. Maharashtra sugar industry problems have cropped up as Uttar Pradesh has emerged as its main rival.

As Maharashtra mills are forced to sell sugar below production costs, they are facing a financial crisis. Closer scrutiny reveals the policies are interlinked with politics in the State. It is one reason why no Government has not been able to do much on the policy front.

T R Vivek discusses the issue with Subramani Ra Mancombu.

Edited & Produced by Siddharth Mathew Cherian