India's sugar production has surged 28.33 per cent so far this season to 77.90 lakh tonnes, but the cooperative mills federation is urging the government to raise the minimum selling price, warning that falling market rates and rising costs are threatening farmers' payments. The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSF), which represents farmer-owned mills, said ex-mill sugar prices have dropped by nearly Rs 2,300 per tonne since the season began, now hovering around Rs 37,700 per tonne, despite the strong output. As of December 15, the country's 479 operating sugar mills have produced 77.90 lakh tonnes compared with 60.70 lakh tonnes by 473 mills a year earlier, according to NFCSF data. Cane crushing jumped 25.6 per cent to 900.75 lakh tonnes, the federation said in a statement. Sugar output in Maharashtra, the country's top producing state, more than doubled to 31.30 lakh tonnes from 16.80 lakh tonnes, while Uttar Pradesh production rose to 25.05 lakh tonnes