Pilibhit’s Kisan Co-op Sugar Mill to begin ethanol production

Uttar Pradesh is making strides in the bioenergy and taking the decarbonisation quest of the country further. In a notable development, the Kisan Cooperative Sugar Mill of Pilibhit district is mulling to establish a distillery and ethanol plant on its premises.

As per reports, the decision to foray into the ethanol production was unanimously approved during the inaugural meeting of the newly elected board that was held on Tuesday. The meeting saw participation from key officials, including District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh, who joined virtually from Pilibhit.

The meeting was convened at the guesthouse owned by the mill. The meeting prioritized addressing the mill’s financial challenges by emphasizing cost-cutting measures and maximizing bagasse conservation during the ongoing crushing season.

The board also announced that the upcoming sugarcane crushing season will commence on November 25, with a target of procuring 30 lakh quintals of sugarcane. Efforts will be made to enhance facilities at procurement centers and promptly resolve farmers’ concerns. Farmers who have yet to submit their declaration forms will be encouraged to complete the process.

The board expressed confidence that these initiatives would bolster the mill’s operations and provide enhanced support to the farmers associated with it.

UP And Above

India achieved a 15% ethanol blending target in May 2024, with the overall goal expected to be met by 2025. This initiative is projected to save approximately ₹243 billion ($2.9 billion) in petrol import costs. Uttar Pradesh, the leading sugarcane producer of India, has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.

The state ranks as the second-largest ethanol producer in the country, after Maharashtra, in terms of installed capacity. By the middle of this year, UP would boast an annual installed capacity of 205.3 crore litres from molasses-based (sugarcane) projects and 3.4 crore litres from grain-based projects. With around 118 sugar mills and over 85 operational distilleries, Uttar Pradesh plays a pivotal role in driving India’s ethanol production efforts.