Govt plans joint ventures with local, foreign cos to revitalise sugar industry

Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana said that initiatives have been taken to make the country's sugar mills profitable, reports BSS.
She emphasised that the focus is not solely on sugar production but also on utilising by-products to make additional products.
The government is also thinking about forming joint ventures with local and foreign entrepreneurs in this regard, she added.
The industries secretary spoke as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with sugarcane farmers, workers and officials, aimed to explore ways to enhance quality and yield of sugarcane. The meeting was held at Faridpur Sugar Mills training building at Madhukhali in Faridpur on Saturday.
Chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) Md Arifur Rahman Apu presided over the event while Deputy Commissioner of Faridpur Kamrul Ahsan Talukder was present as a special guest.
Zakia Sultana said many initiatives have been taken to revitalise the sugar industry.
"In order to encourage farmers to cultivate more sugarcanes, the price of sugarcane has been increased to Tk 220 per maund (40 kg) of sugarcane. In the upcoming 2023-24 season, farmers will get Tk 240 for every maund of sugarcanes," she added.
She further said the government is providing good quality sugarcane seeds and fertilisers to the farmers to bring back the glory of the sugar industry.
Zakia Sultana said 'Bandhu Seba' app has been launched, which has connected about 65,000 sugarcane farmers. Through this app, the farmers are getting necessary instructions.