PANAJI
After being held up by red tape over the finalisation of a bidder for the past two to three months, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has expressed confidence that the State’s lone sugar factory, Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd (SSSK), will finally reopen.
Speaking at the 84th Annual Convention and International Sugar Expo 2026 in Goa, Sawant said the State was proud to host the international event despite the closure of its only sugar factory and assured that the facility would be revived after the expo. “After the expo, we will definitely reopen the factory. Next time, we will definitely have a visit to the sugar factory with all the dignitaries,” Sawant said.
The Sanjivani sugar factory has remained shut since the 2019-20 crushing season, severely affecting more than 700 sugarcane farmers across the State. Several cultivators, after waiting for years for the factory to reopen, have either shifted to other crops or drastically reduced sugarcane cultivation.
The latest revival process has also been delayed. Nearly nine months have passed since fresh bids were invited for the factory’s revival, but the State government is yet to finalise the successful bidder.
The bid evaluation process was completed in March, but the proposal has been awaiting approval for the past two to three months. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) department has reportedly been unable to proceed due to delays in obtaining consent from the Agriculture Department and the government.
Highlighting the contribution of sugarcane farmers to the economy, Sawant said the crop had gained further importance with the growing demand for ethanol blending with petrol. He said farmers were increasingly moving from being “food providers” to “fuel providers” through sugarcane-based ethanol production for E20 fuel.
Goa is also considering setting up an ethanol distillery with a minimum capacity of 75 KLPD at the Dharbandora sugar factory, he said.
Sawant said technological advancements and innovation had transformed agriculture and expressed confidence that the sugar industry would also adopt modern technology to improve efficiency and strengthen its contribution to the economy.
The three-day convention-cum-expo features more than 80 exhibitors, including equipment manufacturers, engineering companies, OEMs, automation and instrumentation specialists, chemical manufacturers, agri-tech firms and technology solution providers. They are showcasing the latest technologies and solutions for the sugar industry.
