The 79th Annual Convention and International Sugar Expo jointly organized by the Sugar Technologists Association of India and National Sugar Institute, Kanpur commenced today. The Convention being organized in both – online and offline modes and is being attended by over 6000 delegates. The Convention was inaugurated online today by Hon’ble Governor, Uttar Pradesh – Ms Anandiben Patel. Shri Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary (Food & Public Distribution), Government of India; Shri Sanjay Bhoosreddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Excise, Sugar Industry & Cane Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Narendra Mohan, Director, National Sugar Institute, Kanpur; and Shri Sanjay Awasthi, President, The Sugar Technologists Association of India graced the occasion. In her address, Hon’ble Governor lauded the role of National Sugar Institute, Kanpur and the Sugar Technologists Association of India in growth and development of the sugar industry in India. She stressed on working for greater farm mechanization, productivity enhancement and improving the quality of sugar to meet requirements of the market.
Shri Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary (Food & Public Distribution), while addressing the delegates online congratulated the National Sugar Institute, Kanpur on its Foundation Day & called upon the the sugar industry to work together with the Institute for finding solutions to its various problems. Further, discussing the balancing of the sugar demand-supply scenario, he stressed on production of ethanol in the sugar factories by sacrificing sugar through various modes so that not only sugar demand-suply is balanced but also the target of 20 per cent blending of ethanol with petrol is achieved by 2025. In order to make the sugar mills “aatmnirbhar”, we have to utilize the whole “sugarcane value chain” to produce the “value added products” for enhancement in income.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sanjay Awasthi, President, The Sugar Technologists Association of India said that the availability of sugar in the world market in 2021-22 will be reduced due to shortfall in 70-80 lakh tonnes of production of sugar in Brazil. He called upon the sugar industry to take advantage of this shortfall and export sugar to the sugar deficient countries.
On this occasion, Shri Narendra Mohan, Director, National Sugar Institute, Kanpur presented a glimpse of the Institute activities, its role in providing the required technical manpower to the sugar industry and also for the growth through technical assistance. In his address, he provided a detailed outline about enhacing the availability of ethanol through various modes for Ethanol Blending Programme. Further, he also cautioned the industry to be careful in capacity building keeping in view the possible change in the availability of raw material and “Go Electric” Policy of the Government of India, according to which the conventional vehicles are planned to be replaced by the electric vehicles by 2030.
On the first day of the Convention, Prof. S.N. Gundu Rao Memorial Lecture was delivered by Shri Sanjay Bhoosreddy, Additional Chief Secretary, where he discussed and stressed on transformation of sugar industry into a profitable industry by varietal improvement in sugarcane and production of biofuels. Presentations were also made by Shri Sanjay Desai, Managing Director, Regreen Excel EPC Industry Pvt. Ltd. and Shri Kiran Dangwal, Technical Head, ISGEC on various strategies required for enhancing ethanol production.
Earlier during the Inaugural Session, various publications, like Proceedings of Convention, Directory of Sugar Factories & Distilleries situated in India & neibouring countries and Souvenir were released. Whereas the National Sugar Institute which is celebrating its Foundation Day on the 4th October, the Annual Report for 2020-21 of the Institute and a documentary – “A Drive through NSI Campus” were also released. On this occasion, the eminent experts and scientists/technologist were conferred with different awards.
