Seven co-op sugar factories to be modernised before 2008-09

Rajahmundry, Dec 7 (UNI) Seven of the 11 co-operative sugar factories in Andhra Pradesh will be developed and modernised before 2008-09 crushing season with Central loan.

Addressing newspersons here today, Sugar Commissioner A Vidyasagar Rao said a Central loan of Rs 266 crore would be sanctioned through Sugar Development Board and National Federation of Sugars in this regard.

The seven factories are Govada, Thandava, Bhimsingh, Thumpala, Chittor, Renigunta and Kovvur. These would be modernised and expanded with co-generation of power, he added.

Stating that permission had been granted to start ten private sugar factories, he said after assessing the functioning of these another fifty would be set up.

Owing to the drip irrigation system adopted by farmers particularly in Adilabad, Anantapur and Mahaboobnagar, the annual production is expected to be around 158 lakh tonnes-- an increase of 35 lakh tonne compared to last year.

UNI BAK JJ LL RAI1838