Farmer organisations in Maharashtra have opposed the proposal to start the sugarcane crushing season from October 15 and are demanding that crushing begin from November 15. The organisations say below-normal rainfall in several parts of the state could affect sugarcane growth and early-season sugar recovery. They have warned that starting crushing too early could affect the economics of both farmers and sugar mills.
The farmers' groups argue that sugarcane quality and sugar recovery are likely to improve as the season progresses. They believe delaying the start of crushing until mid-November would give the crop additional time to mature and could help improve recovery. The issue has become a major point of discussion ahead of the 2026-27 sugar season, with farmer organisations also warning of protests if their demand is not considered. 
According to the organisations, reduced rainfall has already put pressure on sugarcane farmers in several regions. They claim that sugar recovery could remain around 9% during the early part of the season if crushing begins in October, while recovery generally improves during January, February and March in many areas. Farmers therefore want the government to reconsider the proposed October 15 start date.
Farmer organisations have also demanded an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar to ₹55 per kg. Shiv Sena Shetkari Sena state president Prof. Jalandhar Patil said the cost of imported raw sugar is around ₹52 per kg before transportation and processing costs. The organisations have argued that domestic sugar prices should reflect production and processing costs and have also suggested separate pricing for household and commercial consumers.
Delayed payment of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to sugarcane farmers is another issue raised by the organisations. Sugar Commissioner Dr Sanjay Kolte said action under the Revenue Recovery Certificate mechanism has been initiated against mills that fail to make FRP payments within the prescribed period or do not pay applicable interest on delayed payments. Farmers have also demanded action against mills that fail to submit required reports on time. 
The organisations have raised concerns about sugarcane weighing arrangements as well. Jai Shivray Shetkari Sanghatana president Shivaji Mane has demanded government-operated weighing centres in every district, including at least 10 centres around each sugar mill. Farmer groups have called for greater transparency in weighing and payment calculations and have opposed dependence on private weighing centres.
Farmer organisations have warned that an 'Akrosh Morcha' will be held outside the Sugar Commissioner’s office in Pune on October 8 if the crushing date is not reconsidered. Representatives of several farmer groups recently met Sugar Commissioner Dr Sanjay Kolte in Pune and submitted a memorandum covering the crushing schedule, sugar prices, FRP payments, interest, weighing systems and pending farmer dues.
For now, the central issue for the farmer organisations remains their demand to start Maharashtra's sugarcane crushing season from November 15 instead of October 15, citing concerns over crop maturity, sugar recovery and farmer returns.
