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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special...

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special financial assistance to compensate for the likely fall in sugar recovery and the reduction in cane weight that could result from crushing in October. India produced around 280 lakh tonnes of sugar last season. The season began with stocks of nearly 50 lakh tonnes, while annual domestic consumption is estimated at around 280 lakh tonnes. With about 35 lakh tonnes expected to remain in stock by September 30, the Centre wants the new season’s production to start flowing into the market without waiting for the traditional crushing cycle. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka account for nearly 80 per cent of India’s sugar production. The Union Food Ministry has therefore written to the chief ministers of the three states, asking them to bring forward the start of the 2026-27 crushing season. The push comes against the backdrop of a sharp movement in sugar prices. Ex-mill prices had earlier climbed to around Rs 68 per kg, pushing retail prices close to Rs 80 per kg. Following a series of measures by the Centre, ex-mill prices have since declined to around Rs 41 per kg. Yet, the government is looking at further measures to bring prices down and ensure that stocks move into the market. One such measure has been the approval of imports of one million tonnes of raw sugar. Since initial applications covered only around eight lakh tonnes, the Centre has invited applications for the remaining quota. It has also reduced the permissible stockholding limit for traders from 400 tonnes to 200 tonnes. The next major point of discussion will be the meeting convened by Union Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra with the sugar industry in New Delhi on September 8. The secretaries of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have also been invited. West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) president B. B. Thombre said the Centre was pushing for crushing to begin around the middle of October. Traditionally, most mills in Maharashtra begin operations around November 15, largely because sugarcane harvesting labour becomes available only after Diwali. The industry is, however, willing to explore an early start between October 20 and 25. But early crushing could have significant implications. According to Thombre, sugar recovery could fall by around 1.5 percentage points, while the weight of sugarcane supplied by farmers could decline by 10-15 per cent. The industry will therefore seek special assistance for cane crushed between October 15 and November 15. At the September 8 meeting, it plans to demand a subsidy of Rs 500 per tonne for sugar mills and Rs 300 per tonne directly for sugarcane farmers.

Netherlands: Where Everyday Life Feels Like a Beautiful Story

Exploring Europe’s lesser-known towns stole my heart, and living like locals offered a deeper understanding of life and culture.

During our family journey through Amsterdam, Cologne, Nuremberg and Berlin, we had already explored some cities earlier. But in this final part of the journey, we experienced something truly special as we explored Amsterdam, Groningen, Giethoorn and Assen. Groningen, Giethoorn and Assen may be unfamiliar to many travellers, but these charming towns completely stole my heart!


Whenever we plan a family holiday, we make sure to discover something new and experience real local life. This time, we chose the beautiful Netherlands — a gorgeous country in Northwestern Europe. Amsterdam is its capital, The Hague is the seat of government, the currency is the euro, Dutch is the official language and English is widely spoken. Famous for its canals, windmills, tulips, cycling culture, museums and strong happiness index, the Netherlands truly feels like one of the best family travel destinations with its clean surroundings, safety, excellent public transport and kind-hearted people.


Just like India has incredible diversity, I felt something similar in Europe, too. Crossing each border feels like stepping into a completely new world — culturally, visually and emotionally. Experiencing these differences closely is truly fascinating.


One of the most beautiful parts of our journey was celebrating Christmas in Assen with a Dutch family. We carried our favourite sweet — Gulab Jamun — and they welcomed us with warmth and love. The Dutch are known to be among the tallest and fittest people in the world, and we could truly see their healthy lifestyle. Cycling is a natural part of daily life, supported by wonderful cycling tracks everywhere. Assen also has excellent air quality; simply breathing there felt refreshing.


We had heartfelt conversations about life and festivals, followed by a lovingly prepared lunch. Dutch cuisine surprised us with its comfort and simplicity — varieties of cheese, millet bread, Stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables), Erwtensoep (thick pea soup), Dutch pancakes, seafood like Kibbeling and Haring, and of course, the iconic Stroopwafels filled with caramel. We enjoyed every bite, exchanged gifts and felt deeply grateful.


In Assen, we spent time in peaceful forest parks with tall trees and soothing walking trails. One truly unique experience was visiting pet animal farms where goats, rabbits, ponies, deer and roosters are kept, especially for children and families to lovingly interact with. Feeding and gently touching them felt healing and joyful. Later, we cycled along scenic canals, watching elegant swans glide across calm waters. Sometimes, slowing down is the best therapy.


The nearby town of Groningen is a lively university city full of energy and youthfulness. Huge thrift shops promote sustainability and thoughtful living, reflecting the Dutch mindset. There are also lovely shopping places like Primark, and the Albert Heijn grocery store became our favourite — their cheese breadsticks with hot chocolate are a must-try!


Giethoorn, often called the “Venice of the North”, was another dreamlike experience. Instead of roads, this fairy-tale village has canals, boats and charming cottages. It truly feels like stepping into a postcard!


Living like locals gives a deeper understanding of lifestyle and culture. It also made us appreciate India even more, where we enjoy a good quality of life at a much lower cost.


Finally, Amsterdam enchanted us with its vibrant streets and festive Christmas markets. The magical Christmas village near Museumplein, with ice-skating and twinkling stalls, felt like stepping into a winter wonderland. Visiting the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the concert hall beautifully completed our journey.


Soon, it was time to return home. As we flew from Amsterdam to Mumbai, I carried back not just photographs but lessons, emotions and gratitude. Travelling as tourists feels exciting, but living like locals gives us a real perspective on life. Nothing is easy anywhere — what truly matters is our mindset.


I truly believe that finding joy in every circumstance is the real key to happiness.


At Global Voyages, we specialise in customised tours to both famous destinations and beautiful offbeat places. Whenever we travel personally, we bring back real experiences to share with our clients, helping them discover meaningful journeys and hidden gems. During this trip too, we gathered precious insights and explored new towns that I am sure travellers would absolutely love if given the opportunity.


We remain committed to offering the best planning, care and comfort throughout your journey — creating memories that truly last forever.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)


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