Farm groups resist early sugarcane crushing in Maharashtra and Karnataka

The Economic Times reports that farmers’ organisations in Maharashtra and Karnataka are urging mills and growers to delay harvesting and crushing until their demands are met. The groups say crushing immature cane could reduce output and sugar recovery. The government wants mills to start about a month early to boost sugar supplies ahead of Diwali. Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi called a meeting for October 12, 2026, to discuss the demands.