Gopalganj: A new automated jaggery manufacturing plant has begun operations in Gopalganj, Bihar, which is expected to revive the hopes of sugarcane farmers and provide new opportunities to increase their income, Patna Press reported.
The plant has been set up by Harshvardhan Industries at Khalgaon village in the Panchdeori block. It was inaugurated on Sunday by K Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the state’s sugarcane industry department. The project has been established under the Bihar government’s Jaggery Industry Promotion Programme.
Built on two acres of land with an investment of about Rs 15 crore, the plant can process nearly 100 tonnes of sugarcane every day. It is expected to produce more than 13 tonnes of jaggery daily. Officials said the unit uses modern machinery to improve production and maintain better quality.
Authorities believe the plant could bring new life to sugarcane cultivation in the area. Farming of the crop had declined in the last two decades after several sugar mills in Gopalganj and nearby districts shut down, forcing many farmers to switch to other crops due to the lack of processing facilities.
Farmers in the area have welcomed the project and expressed hope that the steady purchase of sugarcane will encourage them to return to large-scale cultivation.
At the inauguration, Kumar called on farmers to make use of government schemes meant for the sugarcane sector. He also directed officials to ensure that farmers receive timely guidance and proper information about subsidies and support programmes.
Officials said the new unit is part of efforts to strengthen Bihar’s traditional jaggery sector by bringing in modern production methods and connecting farmers to organised supply chains.
