Chhatrapati mill at Bhavaninagar crushes over 2 lakh tonnes of cane in 26 days

Shri Chhatrapati Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana at Bhavaninagar has crossed the milestone of two lakh metric tonnes of cane crushed this season. In 26 days up to November 6, the mill crushed a total of 2,01,649 metric tonnes of sugarcane. The achievement has been credited to the considered functioning of the board of directors. Members and workers of the mill are pleased.

Mill chairman Prithviraj Jachak had announced a policy of "correct weight, cash payment", and it is now being implemented effectively. Cane growers are getting the correct weight for their cane and are being paid on time. This has strengthened their trust in the mill. As a result, farmers from several areas outside the mill's operational zone are also choosing to send their cane to the Chhatrapati mill for crushing.

For the current season, chairman Prithviraj Jachak, vice-chairman Shivajirao Nimbalkar and the board of directors have decided to pay a first instalment of Rs 3,501 per tonne. The mill faces financial difficulties, but it has kept up its approach of paying dues to members, workers and suppliers on time. A decision has also been taken to give workers a 15 per cent bonus. This has built confidence in the mill's dealings.

According to figures for November 6, 8,693 tonnes of cane were crushed in a single day. So far, 1,89,100 quintals of sugar have been produced. Today's sugar recovery was 10.43 per cent, while the season's average recovery stands at 9.65 per cent.

The crushing season this time also began earlier than in previous years. Proper planning, priority given to cane growers, timely payment and the cooperation of workers have speeded up crushing. Machinery work was completed on time and as planned, so the mill's daily crushing capacity is more than 8,000 metric tonnes.

The mill's power cogeneration project has produced 84,51,800 units of electricity so far this season. Of this, 53,30,000 units have been sent out.

Last season, by the 6th the mill had crushed only 23,550 metric tonnes of cane. Given the current pace of crushing, it is expected that the Chhatrapati mill could record its highest-ever cane crushing this season.