Patna: In a bid to expand sugarcane cultivation and revive the sugar industry in Bihar, the state government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. (NFCSF), New Delhi. The agreement aims to strengthen the sugarcane sector, improve productivity, and support the revival of closed sugar mills across the state.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at a hotel on Exhibition Road in Patna. Officials said the partnership will help address long-standing challenges in the sector, including low sugarcane productivity, closure of several sugar mills, and limited adoption of modern farming technologies.
Under the agreement, the Department of Sugarcane Industries will receive technical support from NFCSF to promote advanced sugarcane varieties and modern agricultural practices. The initiative will also focus on improving irrigation systems, nutrient management, and pest control while integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in sugarcane cultivation.
Officials said the use of AI and modern technologies is expected to assist in better crop management, planning, and implementation of development schemes in the sugarcane sector.
Addressing the event, Sugarcane Industries Minister Sanjay Kumar said the initiative would not only increase sugarcane production but also significantly boost farmers’ income. He added that the agreement would accelerate efforts to revive closed sugar mills and facilitate the establishment of new ones.
“Our goal is clear—to make Bihar a leading state in sugarcane production and the sugar industry, empower farmers to become self-reliant, and take the state’s economy to new heights,” the minister said.
Additional Chief Secretary K. Senthil Kumar said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has prioritised reopening closed sugar mills and setting up 25 new sugar mills in the state. He noted that ensuring adequate sugarcane supply for the mills is crucial, and continuous efforts are being made to increase production.
He also said the government is moving forward with the process of starting construction work for the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills this year.
NFCSF Chairman Harshvardhan Patil said the sugarcane industry department is working towards fulfilling the vision of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to strengthen the sugar sector in Bihar. He added that work has already begun on preparing the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Sakri and Raiyam sugar mills.
Patil also emphasised the need to increase sugarcane production in the state to ensure adequate supply to sugar mills and said the use of AI technology would play an important role in achieving this objective.
NFCSF Managing Director Chetanbhai Patel and Chief Sugarcane Advisor R. B. Dale also addressed the gathering during the programme.
