Cooperative Sugar Sector to be Strengthened through Circular Economy Model under Proposed Multi-State Cooperative Society Framework Multi-State Cooperative Society framework will strengthen an integrated rural industrial ecosystem by creating new opportunities for converting sugar by-products into high-value products : Shri Murlidhar Mohol Guided by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and under the leadership of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation is continuously working to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem through innovative, sustainable and farmer-centric models. In this direction, a programme on “Promoting Circular Economy in the Sugar Sector through Formation of a Multi-State Cooperative Society” was organised by the Regional Office, Pune of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation, at Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune on 27.05.2026. The programme was chaired by Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Shri Murlidhar Mohol. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, Shri Raman Kumar, and Managing Director, Indian Potash Limited, Shri Sanjeev Vedprakash Verma, were also present on the occasion. Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons, Managing Directors and other senior representatives of around 31 cooperative sugar mills from Kolhapur, Solapur and Sangli districts of Maharashtra and Belagavi district of Karnataka participated in the programme.
During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the role of stakeholders in the proposed Multi-State Cooperative Society being envisaged by Indian Potash Limited.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Murlidhar Mohol said that the objective of the programme was to understand the national perspective and give practical shape to the progress of cooperative sugar mills through an integrated circular economy model under the Multi-State Cooperative Society framework. He stated that the formation of such a society would promote circular economy in the cooperative sugar sector, create new opportunities for converting by-products into high-value products and strengthen an integrated rural industrial ecosystem. He further said that the use of green energy and bio-based chemicals would also help in reducing fuel consumption. Thereafter, the team of Indian Potash Limited made a detailed presentation on the proposed initiative, highlighting the present challenges of the sugar sector and the potential benefits arising from the formation of a Multi-State Cooperative Society. On this occasion, Shri Raman Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India said that Maharashtra, being a developed cooperative-based State, can play a leading role in successfully adopting this circular economy model. He appreciated the efforts of the National Cooperative Development Corporation and other stakeholders in successfully organising the programme. An open discussion was also held during the programme, in which various queries and concerns of cooperative sugar mills were addressed.