Sugar factories must use water sparingly in the drought, Kolhapur collector says

Kolhapur: With rainfall short this year, the district's sugar factories must use water carefully and plan to recycle the water they use, collector Dr Vijay Rathod has directed. He was chairing a meeting of sugar mill managements at the Shahuji Hall of the collector's office to review the coming crushing season.

To head off a possible fodder shortage, factories should promote fodder crops that need little water and make sure farmers get seeds on time, he said, and the agencies concerned should keep an eye on labour agreements and the checking of weighbridges. He also asked factories to tell farmers that leaving cane trash in the field after harvest, instead of burning it, keeps moisture in the soil and raises its organic carbon.

Sugar joint director Ujwala Palaskar, agriculture deputy director Namdev Parit, district animal husbandry deputy commissioner Dr Pramod Babar and resident deputy collector Gajanan Gurav attended, along with the executive and managing directors of the factories.

The district has received only 51.7% of its average rainfall this year, and drought has been officially declared in six talukas: Ajara, Bhudargad, Chandgad, Gaganbawda, Panhala and Radhanagari. Crop damage surveys are under way in hundreds of villages, and the administration is planning water supply and fodder camps.

Sources: Loksatta; Esakal