Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has urged India’s sugar industry to diversify beyond conventional sugar production by developing health-oriented products from sugarcane and expanding ethanol production. She also called for efforts to reduce alcohol production intended for consumption, citing concerns about substance abuse and its wider social impact.
Addressing the 91st Foundation Day celebrations of the National Sugar Institute (NSI) in Kanpur virtually on Thursday, Patel emphasised the need to align the sugar industry’s future with public health, clean energy and India’s ambition to become a developed nation.
Governor calls for a drug-free India
Patel said India must work towards becoming a drug-free nation over the next five to ten years. She highlighted the opportunities emerging in education, research and technology in the era of artificial intelligence, and called for greater momentum behind both anti-addiction initiatives and the Healthy India campaign.
She argued that the sugar industry should explore alternatives to conventional alcohol products by developing sugarcane-based products with potential health benefits.
Ethanol production and clean energy in focus
The governor also called for increased sugarcane production and greater diversification of sugarcane-derived products. She said expanding ethanol production could increase national income and help reduce pollution.
Patel added that promoting clean energy could contribute to a healthier environment for both people and animals.
Her remarks placed the sugar industry at the intersection of agricultural productivity, value-added manufacturing and the country’s clean-energy ambitions. However, the report did not specify an ethanol production target, investment commitment or implementation timeline.
Women sugarcane farmers and researchers need greater recognition
Patel welcomed the recognition of farmers from different states during the ceremony but pointed out that no women farmers were among those honoured.
She called for women sugarcane farmers to be recognised at next year’s event and urged stakeholders to encourage their participation and highlight their experiences.
The governor also recommended recognising female students conducting research at the institute, saying that greater encouragement could motivate them to contribute to research and technology and enhance the institute’s reputation.
Governor seeks closer engagement with the National Sugar Institute
Patel acknowledged that despite visiting Kanpur more than ten times, she had not been familiar with the work and contributions of the National Sugar Institute.
Referring to her proposed visit to Kanpur on 23 October, she said she would visit the institute if time permitted. She expressed an interest in meeting faculty members and students and learning about ongoing research and academic activities.
NSI provides more than 200 technical consultations to sugar industry
NSI Director Professor Seema Paroha said the institute provided more than 200 technical consultations and advisory services to the sugar industry during the previous crushing season.
These services helped address technical challenges, improve production processes and support the adoption of modern technologies, she said.
The institute has also conducted specialised training programmes for Fiji’s Sugar Corporation and Dry Sugar India under international cooperation initiatives. Training for experts associated with South Africa’s sugar industry is also planned.
Sugar mills discuss wastewater treatment and environmental compliance
The foundation day programme included a national seminar on Charter 2.0 of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), focusing on the treatment and environmentally compliant disposal of wastewater and waste generated by sugar mills.
According to the report, sugar mills in Balrampur and Mankapur in Uttar Pradesh have installed treatment plants in accordance with the new charter.
The discussions highlighted the importance of wastewater management and environmental compliance alongside improvements in sugar manufacturing and associated industrial operations.
Farmers and alumni recognised at Foundation Day Event
A total of 13 farmers from different states were honoured during the ceremony. They included Achal Kumar Mishra, Kaushal Kumar Mishra, Binju Yadav, Shailendra Kumar, Sanjeev Walia, Kuldeep Singh, Basappa Yalgon, Mahavir Patil, Ramesh Appanna Avati, Upendra Kaurav, Rameshwar Patel, Bhola Shankar Singh and Sunil Khalkho.
Seven former students were also recognised at the event.
The ceremony was attended by Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi, MLA Neelima Katiyar and Arvind Kumar Rawat, director of the Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oils, among other participants.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
The governor’s remarks highlight the expanding policy relevance of India’s sugar industry, particularly its role in ethanol production, agricultural value addition and cleaner industrial operations.
For the bioenergy sector, the call to increase ethanol production is significant because sugar mills can contribute to fuel supply diversification while strengthening links between agriculture and renewable fuels. However, higher production alone does not guarantee lower emissions or improved economic returns. Outcomes depend on feedstock availability, production costs, water use, process efficiency and the emissions profile of the ethanol pathway.
For India’s sugar industry, the wider opportunity lies in combining commercially viable ethanol production with efficient resource use, environmental compliance and a more diversified portfolio of sugarcane-based products.
