MoU signed to promote sugar cane industries in state

Patna: The sugar cane industry department on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF), New Delhi, to promote sugar cane-based industries and boost sugar cane production in the state.

The MoU was signed by joint cane commissioner Jayprakash Narayan Singh and NFCSF managing director Prakash Naiknavare at a function chaired by sugar cane industry minister Sanjay Kumar in the state capital.

Describing the MoU as a major milestone, the minister said it was not merely a formal agreement but a commitment to the future of Bihar’s farmers, industry and economy. He said the state’s sugar cane sector has immense potential but continues to face challenges such as low productivity, closure of sugar mills and limited adoption of modern technology. The agreement, he added, aims to convert these challenges into opportunities.

Additional chief secretary of the sugar cane industry department K Senthil Kumar said the state government, under chief minister Nitish Kumar, is working on reopening closed sugar mills and setting up 25 new mills across Bihar. He stressed that adequate sugarcane availability is critical for the operation of mills and said sustained efforts are underway to increase production. Kumar also said the govt is keen to begin revival of the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills this year.

NFCSF chairman Harshvardhan Patil said the department is working to realise the chief minister’s vision for the sugarcane sector. He said preparation of detailed project reports for the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills has already begun. Patil underlined the need to boost sugar cane production to ensure adequate supply for mills across the state, adding that the use of artificial intelligence would be expanded for this purpose. He assured that all initiatives would prioritise farmers’ interests and that the federation would extend full support.

Among those present were Sidhwalia Sugar Mill general manager V C Tyagi, Hasanpur Sugar Mill general manager Ashok Mittal, Bagaha Sugar Mill general manager B N Tripathi, cane managers of other mills and departmental officials.