NFCSF Urges Government to Raise Minimum Selling Price of Sugar to Rs. 42 per kg

Making a strong case for increase in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar as the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane has been steadily going up every year, the President of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), Harshvardhan Patil, urged the Centre to increase the MSP of sugar at least to Rs 42 per kg. The NFCSF has already submitted its proposal to the union government in this regard with the statistical data of rise in the production cost of sugar.

During a joint meeting in Pune, which included directors from the Union Food and Cooperation Ministries, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), and other officials, Patil emphasized the urgency of addressing the long-pending issue. He noted that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane has been consistently rising, necessitating a corresponding increase in the MSP to ensure the viability of the sugar industry. 

Later addressing a press conference in Pune Harshvardhan Patil said that the issue of increase in the MSP of sugar has been pending for long. The NFCSF and the ISMA have jointly computed the production cost of sugar on the basis of factual information and credible data they have collected from across India and have sent to the concerned departments of the Union Government on June 3, 2024.The sugar industry can be viable if the MSP of sugar gets increased to Rs 42 per kg., Harshvardhan Patil explained during his interaction with the media.

The Managing Director of the NFCSF, Prakash Naiknavare was also present in the Press meet.  

Patil expressed optimism that the Union Cabinet, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take a positive decision on this matter within its first hundred days. He also highlighted several successful initiatives, including the April 24 decision allowing sugar mills to use 7 lakh tons of B-heavy molasses for ethanol production, and collaborative efforts with the NCDC to supply sugarcane harvesters for the upcoming crushing season.The sugarcane cutting machines would be made available to cooperative factories as per their crushing capacity.