Maharashtra sugar mills are facing fresh challenges ahead of the state government’s decision to begin the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season from October 15. While sugar mills are preparing for the upcoming season, sugarcane harvesting and transport workers have demanded a 100% increase in wages and transportation rates. At the same time, farmer organisations have opposed the early start of crushing, arguing that harvesting sugarcane too early could reduce sugar recovery and cause financial losses to farmers.
The organisation representing sugarcane harvesting and transport workers in Maharashtra has demanded that the rates for cutting and transporting sugarcane be doubled. The demand also covers bullock carts, cart centres, mini-tractors, trucks and other vehicles used for transporting sugarcane. The workers’ organisation has warned that crushing operations could be disrupted if their demands are not addressed. It has sought inclusion of the revised rates in the new wage agreement after the existing settlement expires. 
The workers have also demanded mandatory insurance coverage for every sugarcane harvesting and transport worker engaged by sugar mills. They have sought compensation of ₹10 lakh for the family of a worker who dies in an accident during sugarcane harvesting. According to the workers’ organisation, negotiations over the new wage agreement should cover not only harvesting and transportation rates but also social security and financial protection for workers and their families.
Meanwhile, farmer leader and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana president Raju Shetti has opposed the decision to start the Maharashtra sugarcane crushing season from October 15. He has alleged that the early start has been decided under pressure from the Centre amid concerns over declining sugar stocks. Farmer organisations argue that keeping sugarcane in the fields for some additional time could improve cane weight and sugar recovery. They have warned that an early crushing season could therefore reduce farmers’ returns.
According to the organisation, early crushing could lower sugar recovery by around 1 to 1.5 percentage points, potentially resulting in a loss of up to ₹500 per tonne for farmers. The organisation has also raised demands including an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar to ₹5,000 per quintal and a ₹70 increase in ethanol prices. A Sugarcane Council is scheduled to be held on October 10, where farmers are expected to decide the future course of action and any further agitation over the early crushing decision.
Meanwhile, sugar mills are preparing to introduce a new system for sugarcane harvesting during the upcoming season. Under the proposed system, sugar recovery will be assessed directly in the field before harvesting orders are issued. Mills plan to prioritise sugarcane harvesting based on the recovery recorded in the field, with the objective of improving harvesting planning and bringing greater transparency to the process.
