In a vibrant and impactful gathering at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) hosted its prestigious National Efficiency Awards Ceremony, recognizing excellence across India’s cooperative sugar industry.
The event, attended by key dignitaries, celebrated not just the achievements of cooperative sugar mills but also placed focus on policy direction, bioenergy integration, and the growing role of technology in agriculture.
A Vision for Balance and Growth
Delivering the keynote address, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balancing the interests of farmers, factories, and consumers. He said that the Ministry would review the proposals to increase both the ethanol blending percentage in fuel and its procurement price — steps aligned with India’s energy diversification goals and the sugar industry’s long-term sustainability.
The Minister further said that India’s sugar industry has transformed into a ₹1.3 lakh crore powerhouse, driving rural development and strengthening the country’s energy independence.
“Under the PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s leadership, India’s sugar sector has grown into a Rs 1.3 lakh crore industry (annually), driving rural prosperity, energy security and green power through reforms like record ethanol blending and Atmanirbharta in fuel,” Joshi said on a social media post.
Reflecting on the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, Joshi called it a game-changing initiative under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stressed the need for cooperatives to evolve into professional, year-round business enterprises that create consistent employment and value.
Former Union Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu echoed the sector’s importance, noting that cooperative sugar factories not only produce sugar but also serve as engines of rural development — driving infrastructure, jobs, and prosperity. “Sugar is woven into the cultural and emotional fabric of Indian life,” he remarked.
Awards to Recognize Operational Excellence
A total of 25 cooperative sugar mills were felicitated for their performance during the 2023–24 season. Categories ranged from technical efficiency, cane development, sugar recovery, financial performance, to overall factory excellence. The awards were jointly presented by Shri Pralhad Joshi, Minister of State Smt. Nimuben Bambhaniya, and former Union Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu, in the presence of cooperative leaders from across India.
Technology and Innovation in Focus
A major highlight of the two-day event was a technical seminar on artificial intelligence in sugarcane farming. In his keynote, Shri Prataprao Pawar of the Agriculture Development Trust, Baramati, outlined the transformational potential of AI in yield prediction, disease management, and input optimization. Panelists included Dr. P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore and Shri Anindya Banerjee, Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture. Together, they proposed a roadmap for smart agriculture in the sugarcane sector, reinforcing the role of innovation in cooperative growth.
Alongside the awards, the event hosted a special exhibition featuring cutting-edge innovations in sugar industry operations and agricultural technologies, drawing interest from stakeholders and experts alike. This comes in the run-up to the International Year of Cooperatives – 2025, for which NFCSF is organizing a series of thematic events.
Industry Voices and Policy Demands
NFCSF President Harshvardhan Patil expressed gratitude to the government for its support and urged for the revision of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar, in line with the rising Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane. He also emphasized the need to raise ethanol procurement prices to support the substantial investments sugar factories have made in biofuel production.
