More sugar factories to come up in State

A delegation from the State will meet the Union Minister for Agriculture seeking permission to export sugar.

Horticulture and Sugar Minister S A Ravindranath said on Saturday that sugar production in the State was likely to go up to 21 lakh metric tonnes (MT) during the present financial year compared to 20 lakh MT last year. “The exact production will be known by April. In view of the increase in production, we need permission to export sugar. The State also intends to convey the problems faced by pomegranate growers during the meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar,” he said.

Ravindranath said permission was being granted to set up more sugar factories in the State in view of abundant availability of raw material. Five sugar factories will come up in North Karnataka, including one each in Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot.

The minister said Vijaynagar Sugars has submitted its bid to restart the ailing Bhadra Co-operative Sugar Factory in Davangere.