Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the expanded capacity of the Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Cooperative Sugar Factory in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, on October 5, 2025. He also unveiled life-size statues of Padma Shri Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, the pioneer of India’s cooperative sugar sector, and his son Padma Bhushan Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, a stalwart leader of the cooperative movement. The event was graced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol.
Historic and Symbolic Significance
Shri Amit Shah highlighted the courage of Maharashtra’s leaders in renaming Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar and Ahmednagar as Ahilyanagar, honoring regional heritage and valor associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He acknowledged the government’s prompt disaster relief efforts for farmers affected by heavy rains, with ₹3,132 crore allocated by the Centre and ₹2,215 crore by the Maharashtra government, including cash assistance and suspension of agricultural loan recoveries.
Legacy of Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil
Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, the founder of the first cooperative sugar mill in India at Loni, Maharashtra, devoted his life to farmers’ welfare and transformed Maharashtra’s cooperative movement. He pioneered the system ensuring sugar mill profits directly benefited farmers, bypassing intermediaries, inspiring prosperity beyond Maharashtra to Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and elsewhere.
Contributions of Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil
Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil continued his father’s legacy by strengthening the cooperative movement and promoting education, health, and rural development through cooperative profits. He was a seven-time parliamentarian and served in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet. Thanks to him, crisis-hit banks were revived, safeguarding hundreds of cooperative entities.
Factory Expansion and Modernization
The sugar factory’s crushing capacity increased from 500 tonnes per day at inception to 7,200 tonnes currently, with plans to reach 15,000 tonnes soon. The factory’s alcohol distillation capacity grew from 15 kiloliters per day (KLPD) to 92 KLPD, with approval to expand to 240 KLPD. Ethanol production capacity increased fivefold, biogas plant capacity rose to 30,000 cubic meters daily, and cogeneration power capacity more than doubled to 68 megawatts.
Impact of Modi Government Policies
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India added 67 sugar mills, raised sugar production by one million metric tons, doubled distillery numbers, multiplied ethanol production capacity fivefold, and increased ethanol blending in petrol to 20%. Modi’s government waived over ₹10,000 crore in income tax dues for farmers and granted cooperative sugar mills tax settlement status akin to corporations, easing their financial burdens.
Future Vision and Recommendations
Shri Amit Shah urged cooperative sugar mills to diversify production to multi-feed ethanol and establish alternative product lines like frozen vegetables and fruit pulp during non-crushing seasons, with financial aid available via the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The government reduced GST on molasses from 28% to 5% and allotted ₹10,000 crore through loan schemes for cooperative development. Cooperation with NAFED and NCCF is encouraged for multi-dimensional growth.
National Call for Swadeshi and Self-Reliance
Shri Shah highlighted Prime Minister’s directive to pledge against foreign-made products, noting if all of India’s 140 crore citizens use only domestic goods, the nation will achieve global leadership well before 2047.
Conclusion
The expanded Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Cooperative Sugar Factory symbolizes the strength and progress of India’s cooperative movement under visionary leadership and government support. The factory remains pivotal in farmers’ prosperity, rural development, and sustainable agro-industrial growth. The event was graced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol.
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Source: PIB
