DC pushes for sugar mill to boost Indora’s farming economy

Following the Chief Minister’s directives, the Kangra district administration has initiated efforts to explore the feasibility of establishing a sugar mill in the neighbouring Indora sub-division, located in the lower region of the district. After holding a virtual session with sugar mill experts recently, Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj Bairwa instructed the Department of Agriculture and Indora SDM to assess key factors, including financial provisions, land availability for sugarcane cultivation and other technical resources.

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Talking to The Tribune, the DC said sugarcane cultivation could boost the rural economy in the interstate border area in Indora Assembly constituency and the state government had launched a special drive to strengthen rural economy. He said exploring the possibility of setting up a sugar mill in this region was also a part of this government drive. “The climate and temperature in Indora are conducive for cultivation of sugarcane and barren land is also available at many areas here. Farmers can opt for growing sugarcane and with the establishment of a sugar mill, they will have a ready market for their produce,” he said.

Preliminary findings show the state agriculture department owns land in the Indora area, which could be used to set up a sugar mill. The department has been tasked with studying the potential for growing advanced and higher-yielding sugarcane varieties in the region.

At present, local farmers in Indora cultivate sugarcane on approximately 720 hectares; however, they sell the produce to sugar mills in neighbouring Punjab and Jammu, including those in Mukerian and Hoshiarpur. “By offering marketing facilities closer to home, we aim to improve the economy of the farming community. The state government is now exploring the possibility of establishing a sugar mill in Indora,” the Deputy Commissioner said.