Uttar Pradesh's sugar revival: How Yogi Adityanath transformed a struggling industry
Uttar Pradesh’s sugar industry has seen major changes since 2017. Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, the state has expanded production, cleared long-pending farmer payments, and revived closed sugar mills. These reforms have also created jobs for over 10 lakh people across 45 districts. Before 2017, sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh faced delays in receiving payments worth thousands of crores. The Yogi government addressed this by ensuring timely dues, releasing over Rs 3.16 lakh crore in the last nine years. This move injected more than Rs 35,000 crore into rural markets during each crushing season, improving farmers’ economic conditions.
The state’s crushing capacity has also grown significantly. Modernisation efforts increased daily capacity to 8.47 lakh tonnes, leading to a record 9,156 lakh tonnes of sugarcane processed in the same period. Over 44 sugar mills were upgraded, while long-shuttered units like Ramala, Munderwa, and Pipraich were restarted. As a result of these reforms, the number of operational sugar mills rose to 122. This expansion not only boosted production but also generated employment for around 10 lakh workers in the sector.
The Yogi government’s policies have transformed Uttar Pradesh’s sugar industry. Farmers now receive payments on time, mills operate more efficiently, and job opportunities have increased. The state’s crushing capacity and economic circulation in rural areas have both reached record levels.
