Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Thangadagi said the shortfall is due to the drop in sugar cane prices last year. “Many sugar cane cultivators switched over to paddy following a glut of sugar cane in the market last year,” Thangadagi said and expressed confidence that the production would substantially improve next year.
The minister also held a meeting with sugar cane farmers of Mandya district to discuss the revival of Padavapura sugar factory. Thangadagi said the Government will call for a global tender to hand over the factory on a 30-year lease. The entire process would be completed by June this year. The government was in the process of reviving a total of 12 sugar factories in the State, he added.
Thangadagi, who is also the Minister for Agriculture Marketing, said the Government has earmarked Rs 322.86 crore in 2009-10 budget for upgradation of 146 agriculture produce marketing committees across the State.
