The National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) has announced the recipients of the prestigious National Efficiency Awards for the cooperative sugar industry for the year 2023-24. NFCSF President Harshvardhan Patil made the announcement, accompanied by the Federation’s Managing Director Prakash Naiknavare.
These awards recognize the exceptional performance of cooperative sugar factories across the country, promoting excellence in various aspects of the industry. The selection process for these awards involved an extensive evaluation by an Expert Committee led by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation.
The committee included key officials such as the Director of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Under Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Director of the National Sugar Institute in Kanpur, Director General of the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) in Pune, and the Managing Director of NFCSF. The evaluation criteria included performance in cane development, technical efficiency, financial management, highest cane crushing, and highest sugar recovery.
A record 103 cooperative sugar factories participated in this year’s awards, with Maharashtra leading the representation with 41 entries. Other states included Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu with 12 participants each, Haryana with 10, Punjab with 9, Karnataka with 5, and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
To ensure fair competition, the country’s sugar sector was divided into two groups. The first group included Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka, which are known for high sugar recovery rates, with 58 participating factories. The second group comprised the remaining states, with 45 factories competing in this category. This classification encouraged broader participation and fostered a competitive spirit among the cooperative sugar factories.
The winners in various categories were announced, with Maharashtra dominating the awards by securing 10 out of the 25 prizes. Tamil Nadu followed with 5 awards, Uttar Pradesh claimed 4, Gujarat won 3, while Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh secured one award each.
Among the major winners, Shri Vighnahar Sahkari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. from Maharashtra won the first prize in Sugar Cane Development for high sugar recovery areas, while The Budhewal Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. from Punjab topped the same category in other sugar recovery areas.
The Yashwantrao Mohite Krishna Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. in Maharashtra won the first prize for Technical Efficiency in high sugar recovery areas, whereas The Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. in Haryana took the top spot in this category for other regions.
In Financial Management, Karmayogi Ankushrao Tope Samarth SSK Ltd. from Maharashtra won the first prize in high sugar recovery areas, while Naval Singh Sahkari Sakhar Karkhana Maryadit from Madhya Pradesh secured the top award in other regions.
The highest cane crushing award went to Vitthalrao Shinde Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. in Maharashtra, and the highest sugar recovery award was secured by Kumbhi-Kasari Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., also from Maharashtra.
The overall best cooperative sugar factory award in the high sugar recovery area was won by Shri Someshwar SSK Ltd. from Maharashtra, while Subramaniya Siva Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. from Tamil Nadu took the top honor in the other category.
The most prestigious Vasantdada Patil Award for the best cooperative sugar factory on a pan-India basis was awarded to Bhimashankar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. from Maharashtra. The award distribution ceremony will be held in New Delhi in a grand event attended by industry leaders and government dignitaries.
