CM Yogi’s push for sugar mill modernization aims to boost industry, benefit farmers

Lucknow : In a significant move to boost the sugarcane industry, the Yogi government is prioritizing the modernization and expansion of sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh. The government has laid out a plan to upgrade the sugar mills in Baghpat and Muzaffarnagar, aiming to enhance their efficiency and technological capabilities, ensuring maximum benefits for the state’s sugarcane farmers.

The initiative was discussed in a high-level meeting led by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, where the state government proposed an investment of Rs 84.77 crore for the modernization and marginal expansion of Kisan Sahakari Sugar Mill in Baghpat.

The project involves increasing the mill’s crushing capacity from 2,500 TCD to 3,000 TCD, with the financial arrangement comprising 50 percent share capital from the state government and 50 percent as a loan.

The government has allocated Rs 65 crore in the 2024-25 budget for this purpose. The modernization is essential due to the ample availability of sugarcane in the mill’s command area, with expectations of crushing about 5.01 lakh tonnes in the next five years, up from the current 4.82 lakh tonnes.

Similarly, a proposal to invest Rs 88.02 crore for the expansion and technical upgrade of Ganga Kisan Sahakari Sugar Mill Ltd. in Morna, Muzaffarnagar, was also discussed. This mill will also see an increase in crushing capacity from 2,500 TCD to 3,000 TCD.

The financial strategy mirrors that of the Baghpat mill, with the state government providing 50 percent of the funds as share capital and the remaining 50 percent as a loan. The modernization will enable the mill to crush up to 5.40 lakh tonnes of sugarcane over the next five years, compared to the current 4.85 lakh tonnes.

These upgrades are expected to bring significant benefits, including reduced steam and power consumption, timely crushing of sugarcane, bagasse savings, and improved sugar recovery.