Bhojpur: Bhojpur district is set for a possible revival of its sugar industry as preparations begin to establish a new sugar mill near Ara. The proposed facility will be built on nearly 100 acres of barren land behind the Mahathin Mai temple in the Bihiya block. Officials said construction could start in the next financial year if all approvals are secured on schedule. The project is expected to generate employment and raise farmers’ incomes across the region, Patna Press reported.
District Magistrate Tanay Sultania has inspected the site and submitted a detailed proposal to Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Sugarcane Industry Department. The initiative forms part of the Bihar government’s “Seven Resolutions–3” development programme under the vision of “Prosperous Industry, Empowered Bihar,” which aims to revive rural industries and provide farmers with a stable source of income.
Bhojpur once had nearly 40,000 acres dedicated to sugarcane cultivation that supplied the Bihta sugar mill. After the mill shut down, sugarcane farming gradually declined in the district. Authorities now believe the Bihiya area can again support large-scale cultivation. Estimates suggest that sugarcane could initially be grown on 30,000 to 40,000 acres, with the potential to expand to around 80,000 acres in the coming years—a shift expected to strengthen the rural economy.
Farmers currently earn between Rs 18,000 and Rs 25,000 per bigha from existing crops, but incomes are projected to more than double once sugarcane farming expands. A special agricultural task force has been set up to examine land availability and crop viability while also preparing plans to support farmers with seeds, training, and irrigation.
The proposed mill is expected to create more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, including roles in factory operations, transportation, storage, and local businesses. A similar proposal was considered in 2006 but was cancelled at the final stage. The latest announcement, made during the assembly elections, has renewed optimism among residents.
At present, only about 35 acres of sugarcane are cultivated in blocks such as Bihiya, Koilwar, Sandesh, Garhani, Shahpur, and Udwantnagar. With no major buyers, farmers currently produce jaggery for local sale. Officials believe the new mill will allow growers to sell sugarcane directly and help restore the prosperity once associated with the Bihta sugar mill.
