Patna: The Bihar government has announced plans to establish a national and international-level sugarcane research centre in Pusa, as part of a broader initiative to modernise and support the sugarcane industry. The state’s Sugarcane Industry Minister, Krishna Nandan Paswan, shared the development during a press conference held at the state secretariat in Patna on Tuesday.
Alongside the announcement, the minister unveiled a newly developed online licensing portal designed to streamline services for sugarcane farmers. The digital platform will offer guidance on advanced farming techniques, seasonal precautions, disease control, cost-saving equipment, fertiliser usage, irrigation, and waste management.
“This app will equip farmers with critical knowledge at every stage of sugarcane cultivation,” Paswan said. “Our goal is to ensure access to high-quality seeds and tools so that farmers can reduce costs and increase productivity.”
The minister also noted that efforts are underway to repurpose assets of eight non-operational sugar mills, recently transferred to the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA), with the aim of attracting new industrial investments.
Departmental Secretary B. Karthikeya Dhanji reinforced the government’s commitment to making sugarcane-related licensing easier and more transparent for both farmers and entrepreneurs. “We want to ensure that farmers and investors can easily obtain the necessary approvals, which will, in turn, drive economic growth in the state,” he said.
The research centre and accompanying digital reforms are being framed as a transformative step for the state’s agricultural sector. According to the minister, these efforts will position Bihar’s sugarcane farmers on the global map and support the broader goal of doubling farmer incomes.
