South Asian sugar mill revival initiatives

South Asian nations are implementing initiatives to revive dormant or closed sugar production facilities to support rural economies and job creation.

In India, the central government launched a plan to restore 19 closed cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra. The initiative involves reviewing financial data, including assets and debts, to determine if mills can be reopened through reinvestment, direct assistance, or public-private partnerships. The National Cooperative Development Corporation is expected to coordinate the effort.

Similarly, Bangladesh is planning a phased reopening of six closed state-owned sugar mills through the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC). This plan includes using sugarcane bagasse for in-house power generation. In Nepal, the government has established a task force to conduct a feasibility study on restarting the Birgunj Sugar Factory, assessing whether existing infrastructure can be reused or if new technology is required.