State delegation holds talks with sugar industry experts in Pune

Patna: A high-level team of officials from the state sugar cane department, led by cane industry minister Sanjay Kumar Paswan, held a series of consultative meetings over the last two days in Pune (Maharashtra), with representatives of the sugar and ethanol industry from both the cooperative and private sectors to attract investments in Bihar’s sugar, ethanol and bio-energy sectors.“The main aim of the tour and consultative meetings was to explore new opportunities for the modernisation of Bihar’s sugar industry and the expansion of the ethanol and bio-energy sectors. The aim was also to attract and invite investments in agro-based industries and thereby increase the income of farmers,” Paswan said. He added that visits to Pune-based sugar mills were also organised as part of the programme.On Saturday, the Bihar delegation visited the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, where members received first-hand information on high-productivity sugar cane varieties, sustainable sugar cane cultivation, modern farming techniques, the functioning of cooperative sugar mills, and tissue culture-based plant production methods developed by the institute.Later, representatives of Tirhut Udyog Private Limited and Sigma S LLP, Pune, organised a high-level interactive meeting with investors at the Pune Residency Club.

Discussions focused on the establishment of sugar mills in Bihar, revival of closed sugar mills, promotion of ethanol production, co-generation of bio-CNG, setting up of modern gur (jaggery) industries, development of tissue culture-based plants and investment opportunities in the sector.Paswan said Bihar has immense potential to emerge as a leading state in the sugar and allied sectors due to its conducive business environment, investor-friendly incentive policies and the govt’s commitment to promoting the industry.On Sunday, the Bihar team visited the Daund Sugar Mill.The delegation also included cane commissioner Anil Kumar Jha and joint cane commissioner Vedvrat Kumar. They held interactive sessions with representatives of sugar mills and investors in Pune, who expressed interest in investing in Bihar’s sugar industry sector.