Centre to support 15 sugar mills for CBG, potash plants: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperatives Amit Shah announced that 15 cooperative sugar mills across India will receive funding from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to establish Compressed Biogas (CBG) and potash production plants. The announcement came during the inauguration of India’s first cooperative-based multi-feed CBG plant in Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra.

The facility, set up at the Maharshi Shankarrao Kolhe Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, marks a historic milestone for the country’s cooperative sugar sector. Built at a cost of Rs 55 crore, the plant will produce 12 tonnes of CBG and 75 tonnes of potash per day. The project was designed and supplied by Pune-based Raj Process Equipments & Systems Pvt. Ltd. Amit Shah noted that the success of this initiative will pave the way for similar projects nationwide.

He said, “I want to tell director Vivek Kolhe that this work will spread across the country. The Modi government will select 15 cooperative sugar mills for NCDC funding to set up such plants on their premises. It will be a new beginning.”

Highlighting the government’s focus on farmers’ welfare, Shah said the Modi government recently launched the “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses,” allocating Rs 11,340 crore over six years to boost domestic pulse production. He added that farmers growing arhar, urad, and masoor who register with NAFED and NCCF will have their entire produce procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The scheme aims to benefit 20 million farmers and includes the establishment of 1,000 processing units and distribution of 38 lakh high-quality seed kits.

Shah praised the Maharshi Shankarrao Kolhe Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana as a model of circular economy and urged Maharashtra’s cooperative sugar mills to follow suit by diversifying into ethanol and fruit processing. He assured full central support for implementing a 100% circular economy in the sector.

The CBG inauguration event was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, and other dignitaries.