Role of Co-operative Sugar Factory in Mechanization of Harvesting of Sugarcane in Maharashtra: An Economic Analysis

The study has looked into the role of cooperative sugar factories in mechanization of sugarcane harvesting which is helpful to all the stakeholders, viz. sugarcane growers, sugar mills, consumers and the state government. Some of the cooperative sugar factories in Maharashtra state are helping their member farmers by providing financial help to purchase sugarcane harvesters. The study has analysed the economic viability of sugarcane harvester purchased by the members farmers of a cooperative sugar factory — Shri Tatya Saheb Kore Warana Sahakari Karkhana Limited, Waranagar. The study was conducted in the Kolhapur district by collecting data for the year 2013–14 from 4 sugarcane harvester owners, 30 sugarcane cultivators and some sugar factory officials. It was found that this sugar factory had given financial help of 10 lakh out of 113 lakh required for purchasing a harvesting unit and harvested 3.68 per cent sugarcane by four sugarcane harvesters during the study period. The partial budget analysis concluded that mechanical harvesting of sugarcane could result in a net gain of 4332/ha. The study has suggested that all co-operative sugar factories, i.e. farmers institutions should undertake mechanical harvesting of sugarcane for the benefits of all stakeholders.