Maharashtra’s sugar industry, which plays a key role in economic development, is reaching new heights of progress. Despite registering low sugar production in the 2022-2023 season, it achieved an annual turnover of Rs 1 lakh 8 thousand crores. According to experts, the total turnover of Maharashtra’s sugar industry, including sugar along with products like ethanol, electricity, compressed biogas, and green hydrogen, is expected to cross more than 2.5 lakh crores in the next three years. The Sugar Commissioner, Shekhar Gaikwad, has also predicted that the state’s sugar industry will surpass 2.5 lakh crores turnover within the next three years.
Speaking to Chinimandi, Ajit Chougule, Executive Director of the West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA), stated that despite witnessing unseasonal rains this year, the state managed to produce 105.27 lakh tons of sugar. Additionally, the mills have successfully produced 130 crore liters of ethanol. The combined revenue from sugar, ethanol, and other by-products has reached Rs 1 lakh 8 thousand crores.
Chougule mentioned that there will be an increase in the sugarcane area and production in the next three years. Alongside sugar, there will be growth in ethanol production, as well as the addition of green hydrogen and compressed biogas in the future, contributing to the sugar industry’s business. Chougule stated that this could result in a business of more than 2.5 lakh crores in the next three years.
The central government has set a target of 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025. To achieve this goal, sugar mills will play an important role. Along with sugar, the mills have also shown progress in ethanol production. The state’s sugar mills have produced 130 crore liters of ethanol this year. This has not only increased the mills’ revenue but has also contributed remarkably to the overall economy. The addition of compressed biogas and green hydrogen is also expected to contribute immensely to the sugar industry’s business in the future.
A total of 210 sugar mills, including cooperative and private mills, participated in the crushing season. The state has witnessed 1053.66 lakh metric tons of sugarcane crushing, resulting in the production of 105.27 lakh tons of sugar.
