"A better coordination between Sugarcane Growers and Institutions related to sugarcane cultivation & sugar industry of Maharashtra and Punjab can play a major role to undertake futuristic planning in sugarcane farming and industry to tide over the prevailing crisis being faced by sugar farmers in the country thereby ensuring prosperity to those connected with the sector." These views were expressed by S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Minister of Cooperation & Jails, Punjab during his visit to Vasant Dada Sugar Institute, Pune yesterday late evening.According warm welcome to the Minister of Punjab, Mr.Shivajirao Deshmukh,IAS(Retd) Director General, Vasant Dada Sugar Institute, Pune stated that both the States have striking similarities in respect of the agriculture based economy and farming and stressed the need for better coordination between the 2 States. S.Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa after inspecting the facilities at the Vasant Dada Sugar Institute with regard to sugarcane research & development as well as in respect of technological improvements said that Maharashtra being a major sugarcane producing State, the coordination between Maharashtra & Punjab would strengthen the Sugar Industry which would ultimately benefit the sugarcane farmers of both the States.
He further said that Vasant Dada Sugar Institute being a premier institute not only caters to the sugarcane farmers & industry of Maharashtra but also the whole of South India. He further elaborated that the institute can play a major role in coordination between farmers and agriculture technocrats of both the States for welfare of sugarcane farmers and industry. He further desired that Cooperative Sugar Mills of Punjab would be benefitted from the technical know-how and infrastructure available at the Vasant Dada Sugar Institute, Pune in respect of sugarcane development and technological up-gradation.On the occasion Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, IAS(Retd) Director General, Vasant Dada Sugar Institute, Pune assured full cooperation to Punjab and thanked the S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa for visiting their Institute. Among others present on the occasion included Mr. Vikas Garg,IAS, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab and Mr. Devinder Singh,IAS, Managing Director, Sugarfed, Punjab.