The chimneys of one of India’s most award-winning sugar mills began emitting steam today, marking the start of a crucial economic period for the sugarcane farmers of Kurukshetra and Ambala.
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Upgraded Infrastructure: The 2025-26 season features a fully optimized 60 KLPD Ethanol Plant, which converts molasses into biofuel, providing the mill with a steady secondary revenue stream. This diversification is key to the government’s plan to ensure that farmer payments remain “debt-free” and timely.
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Logistics Revolution: A highlight for the thousands of arriving farmers is the Advanced Online Token System. By allowing farmers to book their unloading slots via mobile, the mill has successfully eliminated the infamous multi-kilometer queues of tractor-trolleys that previously choked the Ladwa-Shahabad road.
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National Excellence: MD Pradeep Ahlawat noted that the Shahabad mill, which has won 29 national awards, is currently aiming for a record-high sugar recovery rate. The mill has also established a dedicated “Farmer Inquiry” digital cell to address issues related to cane weight and payment status in real-time.
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Record Procurement Price: Farmers entering the mill gates today were welcomed with the news that they would receive ₹415 per quintal for early varieties—the highest price ever offered in the country. Payments are scheduled to be credited directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts within 7–10 days of delivery.
Community Sentiment
“Usually, we spend two nights sleeping on our trolleys waiting to empty our load. Today, because of the online token, I was in and out in less than three hours. Between the high price of ₹415 and the faster processing, this is the best start to a season we’ve had in a decade,” said a farmer from a nearby village in Kurukshetra.
