Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated India’s first cooperative-based Compressed Bio-Gas (CNG) and Spray Dryer Potash Granule Project at the Sahakar Maharshi Shankarrao Kolhe Cooperative Sugar Factory in Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra.

Mr Shah noted that the Shankararao Kolhe Cooperative Sugar Factory has set an example of a circular economy by producing and marketing CNG and potash. He announced that similar units will be established in 15 cooperative sugar factories across the country, with Maharashtra expected to play a leading role.

 

 

Shah emphasised the need to diversify ethanol projects and promote circular economy practices, suggesting that ethanol production from fruit juice could open new value streams and enhance profitability for sugar factories. He also highlighted that the factory’s green energy initiatives, along with the Sanjeevani Group’s efforts to strengthen primary credit societies and women’s self-help groups, are contributing significantly to the rural economy.

 

 

The Minister further informed that the Central Government, through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), has extended financial support to 15 cooperative sugar factories and launched the ‘Pulses Self-Reliance Mission’ with an allocation of ₹11,300 crore over six years. He added that the government has increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for key crops such as lentils, moong, mustard, gram, tur, jowar, soybean, cotton, and wheat, and plans to establish 1,000 processing units to distribute high-quality seed kits to 38 lakh farmers across the country.

 

 

The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Girish Mahajan, and several other dignitaries.