New variety Co-17018 is likely to replace existing Co-0238 variety, which is becoming unsustainable because of its susceptibility to red rot and top borer diseases.
Sugar, a politically sensitive commodity, is heavily regulated by the government. The central government also fixes the quantity each mill can sell in the open market.
The govt said the rise would boost supplies and help sugar companies to pay their dues to farmers. India also wants to double ethanol blending with gasoline.
Maharashtra and Karnataka, the country's biggest and the third-biggest sugar producing states, have had heavy rains pushing back harvests by a fortnight.
Any major diversion of corn usage towards ethanol production would severely impact India's poultry sector. Modi govt's target of E20 by 2025 needs 2G biofuels.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raised the price of ethanol extracted from sugarcane juice to Rs 63.45 per litre from the current Rs 62.65 per litre.
Paddy, wheat farmers from Lakhimpur Kheri noted they are often forced to sell their produce to commission agents as government officials cite various excuses to avoid buying their produce.
The BKU chief remarks come in the wake of Yogi Adityanath announcing a Rs 25 per quintal hike in the purchase prices of sugarcane in UP, taking it to Rs 350 per quintal.
If extremely heavy rainfall can cause such damage without a rare event like a cloudburst, it should leave the system working toward India’s disaster preparedness thinking.
One such website has drawn particular scrutiny for spreading fake stories that have upset not only the Indian but also foreign defence firms by falsely attributing misinformation.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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