Pune: A total of 63 sugar mills in Maharashtra paid cane farmers more than the legally mandated Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) during the 2025-26 season, even as outstanding dues across the state remain a concern, with 117 factories yet to fully clear their obligations, SugarToday reported.
According to the fortnightly report published by the Sugar Commissionerate on April 15, 2026, the 209 mills that operated across Maharashtra during 2025-26 collectively crushed 1,042.27 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of sugarcane up to March 31, 2026. Against a total gross FRP liability of Rs 40,327 crore, mills had paid Rs 38,197 crore – a payment rate of 94.72 per cent – leaving total statewide FRP dues at Rs 2,130 crore.
The situation at five mills is particularly acute, with each having paid less than 50 per cent of the FRP due to farmers. Kisanveer Satara Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. in Wai, Satara district, has the highest outstanding amount in this group at Rs 75.27 crore, having paid only 47.62 per cent of its FRP liability. Bhima Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. in Takali Sikandar, Solapur has paid 39.08 per cent, with Rs 30.37 crore outstanding, while Shri Sant Kurmadas Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, also in Solapur, has paid just 30 per cent, leaving Rs 23.40 crore unpaid. Shri Tuljabhavani Sugar Ltd. in Adgaon, Selu, Parbhani has paid 31.14 per cent against an outstanding of Rs 18.10 crore, and S.J. Sugar Distillery and Power Pvt. Ltd. in Nashik has paid 44.85 per cent, with Rs 1.93 crore remaining. The report noted that the chairman of Kisanveer Satara is a sitting state minister.
Against this backdrop, 63 mills in the state paid farmers amounts exceeding their FRP obligation. Nira-Bhima Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. in Indapur taluka, Pune district, topped the state with a payment of Rs 77.64 crore above its FRP liability. Panchganga Sugar and Power Pvt. Ltd. in Mahalgaon, Sambhajinagar paid Rs 29.27 crore extra, followed by Sahakara Maharshi Shankarrao Mohite-Patil Sakhar Karkhana in Akkalkot, Solapur at Rs 20.85 crore, Sharayu Agro Industries Ltd. in Kapashi, Phaltan, Satara at Rs 19.56 crore, and Khatav Man Taluka Agro Processing Ltd. in Padal, Satara at Rs 17.70 crore.
District-wise, Kolhapur led with 13 mills paying above FRP, followed by Solapur with 10, Satara and Pune with nine each, and Ahilyanagar with seven. Farmer organisations have called on the state government to take immediate action against defaulting mills, noting that the Sugar Commissioner is empowered under the Sugarcane Control Act to impose penalties on mills that fail to pay FRP within the stipulated timeframe.