Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed the program for the revival and modernization of three sugar mills in Gir Somnath and Valsad, Gujarat.

In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the commitment made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is being fulfilled today, and the revival of this sugar mill will open the door to prosperity for over 10,000 farmers in this entire region and Valsad.

Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Ministry of Cooperation has launched several initiatives that have opened pathways for the development of millions of farmers in a country dependent on agriculture. He noted that as part of such an initiative, the revival of these three sugar mills has been carried out through Indian Potash Limited, in which 60 per cent of the share capital is held by cooperatives. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has transformed our food-producing farmers into energy-producing farmers by integrating energy production with several sugar mills through ethanol and seeds. He said that ethanol-producing cooperative sugar mills not only contribute to food security but also help reduce the country's petroleum import bill. Additionally, our farmers will transform from local producers to global bio-fuel producers. He mentioned that in the coming days, we will increase ethanol production and enter the global market to export it.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the revival of these three sugar mills will bring a significant change in the lives of nearly ten thousand farmers of this region. He mentioned that Indian Potash Limited, the State Cooperative Bank, the Gujarat government, and the Government of India have together made this major decision in the interest of these farmers. He added that Indian Potash Limited has not only revived the sugar mills but has also assisted sugarcane farmers in several other ways. Shri Shah stated that to increase sugarcane production, Indian Potash Limited has introduced new types of seeds, sugarcane harvesting machines, fertilizer spraying through drones, drip irrigation systems, and has even set up factories for ethanol and gas production.

Shri Amit Shah said that our goal is to produce ethanol, compressed biogas, and organic fertilizers from sugarcane in these three factories. He stated that Prime Minister Modi has undertaken several unprecedented initiatives for the welfare of farmers. He mentioned that in 2013-14, the budget for agriculture was just ₹22,000 crore, which Prime Minister Modi increased to ₹1.37 lakh crore  in 2023-24, a six fold rise. Shri Shah also said that along with this, the loans given to farmers, which were ₹8.5 lakh crore at that time, have now been increased by Modi Ji to ₹25.5 lakh crore. He said that this reflects Prime Minister Modi's vision for the welfare of farmers. He mentioned that while the price of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) is rising worldwide, Prime Minister Modi has kept the price stable in the country by providing subsidies on DAP for the past 10 years. He added that this is a result of Shri Narendra Modi Ji's thinking, which has ensured that farmers continue to benefit from various new schemes, such as affordable fertilizers, drip irrigation facilities, organic farming, farmer credit cards, and ethanol.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that Indian Potash Limited has today illuminated the lives of more than ten thousand farmers through a new beginning. He mentioned that when these sugar mills start functioning at full capacity, the doors of prosperity for the farmers here will open. Shri Shah stated that the commitment made to farmers has been fulfilled by Prime Minister Modi. He emphasized that now, by encouraging farmers to adopt drip irrigation, we all must work together to save water.

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