Government will examine pending demands related to sugar MSP and ethanol price: Pralhad Joshi
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the government will soon review sugar MSP and ethanol price hike proposals. Addressing the Cooperative Sugar Industry Conclave 2025, he acknowledged sectoral investments and promised year-round operational support. NFCSF sought an MSP hike to ₹40/kg and a 10-year policy roadmap. Joshi also emphasized ethanol expansion, timely cane payments, and cooperative-led rural development.
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, announced that the central government will evaluate the long-pending demands regarding an increase in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar and the ethanol procurement price by oil marketing companies. These issues will be considered by the Group of Ministers (GoM) in the coming days.
Joshi made the announcement while addressing the Cooperative Sugar Industry Conclave 2025 and the National Efficiency Awards Ceremony hosted by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) in New Delhi.
Highlighting the sector’s progress, the Minister acknowledged the significant investments made by cooperative sugar mills in expanding their ethanol production capacity. He emphasized that the government is working to support year-round operations of sugar mills through the promotion of ethanol and bio-CNG production during the off-season.
Joshi also noted several key policy reforms introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, including advancements in ethanol blending, sugar exports, and Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) revisions. He stated that 83% of sugarcane payments for the 2024–25 season have already been cleared. Moreover, the export of 10 lakh tonnes of sugar has helped stabilize domestic prices, raising them by Rs. 3 per kg, thereby benefiting the industry.
“Cooperative institutions are vital to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation,” Joshi said, reaffirming the government’s continued support through policy measures, tax incentives, and investment facilitation. He also lauded Prime Minister Modi for establishing the Ministry of Cooperation and credited Home Minister Amit Shah for advancing cooperative-led warehousing and rural enterprise models.
During the conclave, NFCSF President Harshvardhan Patil urged the government to raise the MSP of sugar to ₹40 per kg and to formulate a 10-year policy roadmap to provide long-term stability and attract investment in the sector. He expressed gratitude for government initiatives such as the ₹10,000 crore soft loan scheme through NCDC and tax relief to cooperative mills but emphasized the need for sustained support.
The event was also addressed by several key leaders, including former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya, and Haryana Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma, who all highlighted the socio-economic importance of the sugar industry, particularly in rural India.
To Read more about Ethanol Industry & Bio Energy News, continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Chinimandi
