Summary:
With virtually no water for their crop, farmers have started uprooting the ratoon cane. Cane farmers also grow ratoon cane from the stubble of the harvested crop, as this helps them save the additional cost of seeds and land preparation among others. Months before the 2019-20 crushing season takes off, sugar millers in Maharashtra have sounded the alarm about the possibility of a drastic dip in production. With reservoirs running dry, farmers are unable to save the ratoon crop, which comprises 60 per cent of the cane available for crushing. AdvertisingCane growers in Maharashtra normally take three crops which are harvested within 15 to 8 months of them being planted..