Delivering the keynote address at the virtual seminar on challenges facing sugar factories in Maharashtra, Shekhar Gaikwad, Commissioner of Maharashtra state said given the coronavirus outbreak sugar factories should take appropriate steps and strictly comply with the guidelines on Covid 19 during the upcoming crushing season. Gaikwad also shared his insights on preparations needed to be made to meet the challenge posed by Covid 19.
The seminar was jointly organised by Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management and the office of Commissioner for Sugar Maharashtra. In all 35 Managing Directors & Officers from 30 Sugar Factories participated in the seminar, informs a press release.
The session on Strategy for use of multiple feedstocks for Ethanol production was taken by Dr. Sanjay Patil, Head & Technical Advisor, Dept. of Alcohol Technology, Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune. He called for production of Ethanol from Molasses, Sugar Cane, Juice, Syrup, etc.
The session on “Harvesting & Transportation Management – During & post Covid-19 scenario” was taken by Vijay Autade, Ex-MD & Consultant. Autade discussed the problem of a possible shortage of labor for the sugar factories due to Covind 19. He also urged for mechanization of cane harvesting and small cane cutting activities.
The session on “Managerial performance for sugar factories in emerging scenario” was taken by P. G. Medhe. The latter discussed issues like increase in sugar sale price, storage availability, rescheduling of loans, sugar export policy, settlement of subsidiary claims, etc.
The session on “Technology Governance- Issues & Challenges before Sugar Factories” was taken by Dr Yashwant Patil, Seminar Director. Dr. Patil gave an overview of gaps in technology implementation by sugar factories and thus resulting in many activities still in manual mode. He felt that there is an urgent need to look into technology options including cloud environment for economizing technology investment & ensuring security of various sensitive information systems.
The participants appreciated the timely conduct of the seminar with rich contents & coverage & its usefulness for sugar factories to prepare for the forthcoming crushing season.
