ISMA's Push for Ethanol
ISMA Proposes Enhanced Sugar-to-Ethanol Conversion in Response to Surplus Production
The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has recently put forth a strategic proposal to the government, advocating for the authorization to redirect an additional 1 to 1.2 million tonnes of sugar for ethanol production. This initiative is a response to the surplus in sugar production observed in the current season.ÂGovernment's Initial Cap on Sugar Diversion Amidst Drought Concerns
Initially, the government had restricted the conversion of sugar to ethanol at 1.7 million tonnes for the 2023-24 season, considering the potential decline in sugar yields due to drought conditions in key producing regions such as Maharashtra and Karnataka.ISMA Reports a Decline in Sugar Production for 2023-24 Season
According to the latest figures released by ISMA, the sugar production in the 2023-24 season, as of January 2024, was recorded at 14.95 million tonnes. This represents a 4.58% decrease from the 15.78 million tonnes produced in the corresponding period last year. The number of operational sugar mills has seen a slight increase, from 515 last year to 520 in the current season.Varied Trends in Sugar Production Across Key Indian StatesÂ
A detailed state-wise breakdown of sugar production reveals a mixed scenario. Uttar Pradesh witnessed an uptick in production, reaching 4.57 million tonnes compared to 4 million tonnes in the previous year. However, Maharashtra observed a decline, with production dropping to 5.07 million tonnes from the earlier 6.02 million tonnes. Karnataka, a major sugar-producing state, reported a production of 3.11 million tonnes, a marginal decrease from the previous year's 3.35 million tonnes.ÂOperational Sugar Mills Across India: A Comprehensive Count
 Other states including Gujarat and Tamil Nadu also experienced slight reductions in their sugar output. Gujarat's production stood at 0.46 million tonnes, down from 0.48 million tonnes, while Tamil Nadu produced 0.361 million tonnes, a slight decrease from 0.369 million tonnes in the previous year. The combined sugar production of other states was recorded at 1.36 million tonnes, a drop from the last year's figure of 1.48 million tonnes. In the current landscape, Uttar Pradesh operates the highest number of sugar mills at 120, followed by Maharashtra with 21, Karnataka with 74, Gujarat with 16, and Tamil Nadu with 27. The remaining states collectively operate 82 mills, culminating in a total of 520 active sugar mills across India.
ISMA's Initiative: A Step Towards Sustainable Ethanol ProductionÂ
This proposal by ISMA is a significant step towards optimizing the use of excess sugar production, ensuring a sustainable and efficient approach to meeting the country's ethanol demands. The move is expected to have a considerable impact on the sugar and ethanol industries, reinforcing India's commitment to renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices.For improved web site design,harvest information,statistics,please subscribe CMBroker
