{
  "id": 2810809,
  "title": "Sugar production hit by Red Rot disease, El Nino; govt taking measures: Pralhad Joshi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/sugar-production-hit-by-red-rot-disease-el-nino-govt-taking-measures",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-23T15:14:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/sugar-production-hit-by-red-rot-el-nino-govt-taking-measures-pralhad-joshi/articleshow/133441973.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on Sunday that the government is implementing various measures, such as temporary imports of raw sugar, to tackle concerns over sugar availability and increasing retail prices before the festival season. Joshi highlighted that sugar production has been impacted due to red rot disease and El Nino conditions, which have adversely affected agricultural output both in India and internationally. He expressed concern over the decline in overall agricultural production, including sugar, worldwide owing to these factors. According to him, India's requirement for sugar is approximately 280 lakh tonnes, and at present, the country has a surplus of more than 20 to 25 lakh tonnes. Joshi emphasized that India is taking immediate action, including the import of raw sugar as a temporary measure, due to the impending festival season, which is expected to witness significant celebrations.",
  "summary": "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Centre is taking measures to manage sugar availability and rising prices ahead of the festival season, including temporary imports of raw sugar. He attributed the fall in production to red rot disease and El Nino conditions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Government implementing measures to address sugar shortage and rising prices",
    "Red Rot disease and El Nino impact sugar production in India and globally",
    "India's sugar requirement is 280 lakh tonnes, with surplus of 20-25 lakh tonnes"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}