SUGAR INDUSTRIES IN INDIA

Sugar is a class of edible crystalline substances, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose. Human taste buds interpret its flavor as sweet. Sugar as a basic food carbohydrate primarily comes from sugar cane and from sugar beet, but also appears in fruit, honey, sorghum, sugar maple (in maple syrup), and in many other sources. It forms the main ingredient in much candy. Excessive consumption of sugar has been associated with increased incidences of type 2 diabetes, obesity and tooth decay

Since the 6th century BC cane sugar producers have crushed the harvested vegetable material from sugarcane in order to collect and filter the juice. They then treat the liquid (often with lime (calcium oxide)) to remove impurities and then neutralize it. Boiling the juice then allows the sediment to settle to the bottom for dredging out, while the scum rises to the surface for skimming off. In cooling, the liquid crystallizes, usually in the process of stirring, to produce sugar crystals. Centrifuges usually remove the uncrystallized syrup. The producers can then either sell the resultant sugar, as is, for use; or process it further to produce lighter grades. This processing may take place in another factory in another country. Sugar cane appears fourth in the list for agriculture in China.

The last few years have seen a tremendous change in our awareness of the sources and costs of energy, climate change, and means to address poverty. For too long, wealth has been concentrated in the developed world, and the oil rich nations. The planet’s growth has been unsustainable and inequitable.

There needs to be a paradigm shift in development. Growth has to be inclusive, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. The changes that we have seen in the last few years present a unique opportunity for countries rich in sun, soil and water to now grow their economies in a sustainable, equitable and environmental friendly manner.

India is the largest sugar consumer in the world and 2nd largest producer of sugar. Sugarcane is a versatile crop, rich in sucrose, and fibre. The crop is green, carbon neutral, and is a source of food as well as energy. The sugar mills in India are uniquely positioned since cane growing and processing in India has been practiced for many years. There is an extensive knowledge of growing cane and processing the same into the sugar, ethanol, power and other derivatives. Further, it has extremely well developed, competent and efficient sugar industry related machinery manufacturing sector.

During the Muslim Agricultural Revolution, sugar production was refined and transformed into a large-scale industry by the Arabs. The Arabs and Berbers diffused sugar throughout the Arab Empire from the 8th century.