ARTICLE 4 #AgricultureNews

India’s sugar market is witnessing a slump as stronger-than-expected sugar production pushes prices downward. According to industry reports, the country’s mills have ramped up production this season, resulting in a surplus supply in domestic markets.

Amid rising unrest among sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, the state government has stepped in to open dialogue. A senior Karnataka minister has invited farmer representatives for talks with the Chief Minister, aiming to address their grievances and prevent further escalation.

Continuous rainfall over the past few days has taken a toll on maize crops across several villages in the region. Farmers are reporting that their maize plants have started turning yellow, and growth has come to a sudden halt — raising serious concerns about yield losses this season.

Farmers across several regions have started a peaceful protest (dharna) today, pressing for the government’s assurance of procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and soybean. 🚜The protesting farmers argue that without MSP-backed purchases, they face heavy losses due to fluctuating market rates and rising input costs.

Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest sugar-producing state, is expected to record a 2% increase in sugar production this season, even as the area under sugarcane cultivation has slightly declined. 🚜According to industry officials, the rise in production is being driven by higher sugar recovery rates and improved farm productivity across major cane-growing districts such as Meerut, Saharanpur, and Muzaffarnagar.

In a major relief to maize (corn) farmers across Telangana, the state government has announced an increase in maize procurement for the current season. The move comes as a response to falling market prices and growing concerns among farmers about unsold produce.

In a major step toward crop diversification, the government has announced the promotion of makhana (fox nut) cultivation in regions traditionally known for maize production. Under this new initiative, farmers will be encouraged to shift part of their agricultural land from maize to makhana, a high-value and water-efficient crop.

Maize farmers across the country are facing one of the steepest price declines in recent years, raising alarms within the agricultural sector. According to farmer groups, the sudden crash in maize prices has left many producers unable to cover their basic production costs, pushing them toward financial distress.

Dhamdaha region is witnessing a significant rise in maize sowing activities as farmers prepare their fields for the new crop season. Favorable weather conditions and improved availability of agricultural inputs have encouraged farmers to begin sowing earlier than usual.

Farmers’ groups have intensified their appeal to the government, demanding a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,400 per quintal for maize. Along with the central MSP, they have urged the state authorities to contribute an additional ₹600 as a state incentive, raising the total return to ₹3,000 per quintal for growers.

Sugarcane acreage in Telangana has witnessed a sharp decline this season as a growing number of farmers shift toward paddy cultivation. The trend, observed across major agricultural districts, is driven by a combination of economic, climatic, and policy-based factors.

According to local traders, the current buying prices for maize have dropped significantly, leaving farmers frustrated and unwilling to sell their produce at such low margins.