Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Gadkari Urges Sugar Cooperatives to Prioritize Energy By-products
Nitin Gadkari told sugar factories that they should not depend only on selling sugar.
Sugar prices in India can change when Brazil produces more or less sugar.
He said factories should make useful products from sugarcane waste and juice instead.
These products could include compressed biogas and ethanol for vehicles and energy.
Gadkari said better recovery of sugar from sugarcane could bring in much more money.
He also said Toyota Motors plans to introduce an ethanol-powered Innova vehicle.
The government wants to turn materials such as paddy straw, bamboo, bagasse and Napier grass into compressed biogas.
Gadkari also argued that farmers receive too little attention when crop prices collapse.
He encouraged cooperative mills to use technology and create more income for farmers.
Nitin Gadkari said sugar mills cannot remain viable by relying only on sugar, whose prices are influenced by Brazil.
He urged cooperatives to develop by-products such as compressed biogas, ethanol and other energy products.
Gadkari said a one-percentage-point improvement in sugar recovery could generate ₹50,000–₹60,000 crore annually.
He said Toyota Motors plans to launch an Innova flex-fuel SUV running on 100% ethanol in October.
The government has registered 1,908 compressed biogas plants, of which 132 are operational and 340 are under construction.
- Who
- Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, cooperative sugar mills and the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories.
- What
- Gadkari urged sugar cooperatives to focus on ethanol, compressed biogas and other by-products instead of relying solely on sugar.
- When
- September 22, 2026; the event was held on a Tuesday, according to the article.
- Where
- An annual award event of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories in New Delhi.
- Why
- Sugar prices are affected by Brazil’s production, while by-products could improve mill viability, support farmers and supply the energy sector.
- Sugar price influence
- Gadkari said Brazil’s sugar production affects sugar prices in India.
- Suggested farmer payment
- He said economically viable by-products could enable mills to pay ₹600 per quintal to sugarcane farmers.
- Recovery gains
- A one-percentage-point improvement in sugar recovery could add ₹50,000–₹60,000 crore annually.
- Planned vehicle
- Toyota Motors requested the launch of an Innova flex-fuel SUV running on 100% ethanol in October.
- National sugar demand
- India needs 280–300 lakh tonnes of sugar annually, while production was cited at 300–350 lakh tonnes.
- Compressed biogas plants
- Of 1,908 registered plants, 132 were operational and 340 were under construction.
- Operational CBG capacity
- Operational compressed biogas plants have a combined capacity of 900–1,000 tonnes per day.