Bhojpur: Ara is set to witness a major change as preparations begin to bring back the sugar industry to Bhojpur district. A new sugar mill is proposed on nearly 100 acres of barren land located behind the Mahathin Mai temple in the Bihiya block. Officials say that if all approvals are completed on time, construction will begin in the next financial year. This project is expected to create new job opportunities and significantly increase the income of farmers in the region.
District Magistrate Tanay Sultania has inspected the land and sent a detailed proposal to Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Sugarcane Industry Department. The project is part of the Bihar government’s development programme “Seven Resolutions–3” under the vision of “Prosperous Industry, Empowered Bihar”. The aim is to revive industries in rural areas and give farmers a stable source of income.
In the past, Bhojpur had nearly 40,000 acres under sugarcane cultivation, supplying the Bihta sugar mill. When that mill closed, sugarcane farming slowly disappeared from the district. Now, the government believes the area around Bihiya can support sugarcane farming again. Officials estimate that in the first phase, sugarcane could be grown on 30,000 to 40,000 acres. In the coming years, this area could increase to nearly 80,000 acres, bringing major change to the rural economy.
At present, farmers earn only Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000 per bigha from their crops. Once sugarcane farming starts on a large scale, their income is expected to more than double. A special agricultural task force has been formed to study land availability and crop feasibility. The team is also working on plans to support farmers with seeds, training and irrigation.
The sugar mill is also expected to create employment for more than 2,000 people directly and indirectly. This includes jobs in the factory, transportation, storage, and local businesses. A similar plan was discussed in 2006 but was cancelled at the final stage. This time, the announcement during the assembly elections has raised new hopes among people.
Currently, only about 35 acres of sugarcane are grown in blocks such as Bihiya, Koilwar, Sandesh, Garhani, Shahpur and Udwantnagar. Farmers now make jaggery and sell it locally because there is no big market. Once the sugar mill opens, they will be able to sell sugarcane directly, bringing back the prosperity once seen during the Bihta sugar mill era.
