Indian sugar industry: A key driver of rural development of Maharashtra

The Indian sugar industry is a key driver of rural development. The industry is supporting over 50 million farmers and their families, along with workers and entrepreneurs almost 550 sugar mills. Sugar is a sector of significant importance to the national economy. Maharashtra produces about 36 percent of the total sugar produced in the country and rank second next to Uttar Pradesh. The development of sugar co-operatives in Maharashtra is due to the favourable policy of government regarding the prices of sugar and sugarcane. The Co-operative sugar industry has been playing an important role in the development of rural Maharashtra. In recent years, sugarcane production has decelerated to a great extent due to water and power shortage. Special attention is needed to be given on water resource management. Adequate and regular power supply to sugarcane growers and sugar factories would increase production and productivity. To enhance share of Indian sugar industry in global trade, quality and quantity of sugar needs to be enhanced.