Farmers have begun spring sowing for the 2026-27 season, even as authorities push for higher production, Amar Ujala reported.

At a review meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner (Sugarcane) on Friday, officials, mill representatives and farmer bodies discussed plans to expand cultivation and improve yields. A target has been set to increase the sugarcane area by 7 percent to 2.67 lakh hectares in the next season.

Sugar mills have been asked to assist farmers by providing subsidised farm equipment, seeds and weed-control inputs. The aim is to boost both acreage and productivity in areas linked to mills.

Officials also assigned planting targets to mills based on last year's performance. Discussions focused on better use of available farmland, ensuring adequate seed supply and improving planning to raise output. It was decided that the sugarcane department and mills would work together to achieve these goals.

During the meeting, it was reported that Triveni Sugar Mill Raninangal and DSM Sugar Mill Asmoli have cleared all dues to farmers. Across the division, mills have paid about 91 percent of pending payments, with the remaining expected to be cleared within the next 10 days.

Deputy Sugarcane Commissioner Harpal Singh directed mills to ensure adequate sugarcane supply in line with their processing capacity. He also stressed better planning in mill-linked areas to expand crop coverage.

Officials noted that the new planting target does not include ratoon crops and is higher than last year's level. With a new sugar mill now operational in Changipur, additional cane supply will be needed, making timely achievement of targets crucial.