Pune: The sugar and allied industries in the state are undergoing a significant transition in response to environmental challenges. Sugarcane producers are facing various issues such as global climate change, excessive water usage, soil degradation due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers, rising production costs, labor shortages, and reduced yields. To address these challenges, it is essential that eco-friendly technologies be promoted and disseminated to farmers through the sugar industry, stated Dr. P.G. Patil, Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Phule Agricultural University.
The state-level two-day Sugar and Allied Industries Conference 2024, focused on the circular economy and environmental sustainability, has been organized at the Dr. Shriname Hall of the Agricultural College, Pune. The conference is being jointly hosted by the Agricultural College, Pune, MITCON Consultancy and Engineering Services Ltd., Pune, Sugar Commissioner’s Office, Pune, and The Environment Association of Maharashtra, Kolhapur. Dr. P.G. Patil provided presidential guidance during the inaugural session of the conference. State Sugar Commissioner Dr. Kunal Khemnar was the chief guest on the occasion. Also present on the dais were notable personalities such as Mr. Anand Chalwade, Executive Director of MITCON, Pune, Advocate B.B. Jadhav, Chairman of Jakraya Sugar Ltd., Solapur, Mr. N. Sheshagiri Nara, Chairman of Sadguru Shri Shri Sugar Factory Ltd., Sangli, Mr. Jitendra Mane Deshmukh, President of The Environment Association of Maharashtra, Kolhapur, Dr. S.V. Patil, Member of the Government of India’s Environment Committee, Dr. Vitthal Shirke, Director of Research at the Agricultural University, Dr. Mahanand Mane, Associate Dean of Agricultural College, Pune, Mr. T. Chougule, Executive Director of VISMA, Pune, and Mr. Rahul Mungikar, Member of the Environment Committee.
Dr. Patil emphasized that during this two-day conference, experts will provide guidance on various topics, including climate change and sustainability, circular economy, environmental protection, carbon credits, government policies, and pollution control. The conference is expected to open new avenues for the circular economy and environmental sustainability within the sugar and allied industries. He also highlighted the significant contribution of the Padhegaon Sugarcane Research Center of the Agricultural University in sugarcane research, which has developed 17 varieties of sugarcane. Currently, 86% of the sugarcane-producing area in the state and 56% of the sugarcane-producing area in the country are under sugarcane varieties developed by the university.
During the event, Sugar Commissioner Dr. Kunal Khemnar remarked that sugar factories have a substantial impact on the state’s economy, politics, society, and culture. The government has formulated various policies to ensure that all sugar factories adopt environmentally friendly practices. He also stressed the importance of focusing on value-added products and pointed out the significant opportunities available for compressed biogas and green hydrogen production in sugar factories. The conference holds special significance for promoting environmental initiatives.
As part of the conference, Mahatma Phule Agricultural University signed MoUs with Jakraya Sugar Ltd. for eco-friendly sugarcane production and carbon credits, and with Sadguru Shri Shri Sugar Factory for the expansion of eco-friendly sustainable sugarcane production technology. The MoUs were signed by Dr. Vitthal Shirke, Director of Research at the Agricultural University, Mr. Sachin Jadhav, Chairman of Jakraya Sugar Ltd., and Mr. N. Sheshagiri Nara, Chairman of Sadguru Shri Shri Sugar Factory.
Mr. Anand Sarode of MITCON presented on the environmental impact of global climate change. Several dignitaries, including Dr. B.B. Jadhav, Mr. Sheshagiri Nara, Mr. Rahul Mungikar, Mr. S.V. Patil, Mr. Ajit Chougule, Mr. Jitendra Mane Deshmukh, and Dr. Vitthal Shirke, also shared their insights during the event. The two-day conference consists of six sessions focusing on climate change and sustainability, circular economy, pollution control in the sugar and allied industries, and an overview of environmental protection practices.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Mahanand Mane and Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Phalke, who also conducted the signing of the MoUs. The event was moderated by Dr. Pallavi Suryavanshi, with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sandeep Jadhav. Environmental officers from sugar factories, chief chemists, pollution control experts, and scientists from the university attended this two-day conference.