Lucknow – In a major boost for sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh, 21 out of 23 cooperative sugar mills have cleared 100% of their payment dues for the current crushing season. This marks a significant achievement, given that these mills have often faced issues with delayed payments in the past.
According to official data, the total amount due to farmers was ₹2,730 crore. So far, ₹2,669 crore – about 97.78% – has been paid.
Only two mills have fallen short:
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Ramala (Baghpat) has paid over 90% of its dues.
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Sathiaon (Azamgarh) has paid just 74%, raising concerns about deeper operational or financial issues.
Officials say these delays are being taken seriously, and efforts are underway to fix the issues at these mills.
Experts believe the better performance this year is due to stricter financial oversight, smoother payment systems, and pressure from the state government to ensure timely payments to farmers.
Most of the fully compliant mills are located in central Uttar Pradesh, where better logistics and market access likely played a role. Given how crucial sugarcane farming is to UP’s rural economy—especially in the western and central regions—this level of payment compliance is seen as a positive step toward supporting farmer welfare.
