Reviving Hope: Badamba Sugar Mill to Reopen, Boosting Odisha's Farmers

Indian Potash Limited has partnered with the Odisha government on a Rs 360 crore project to modernize and reopen the long-closed Badamba Sugar Mill, benefiting thousands of farmers through enhanced cultivation and employment opportunities.

In a major move to invigorate the agricultural landscape in Odisha, Indian Potash Limited (IPL) has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state's government. This collaboration aims to revitalize the dormant Badamba Sugar Mill, which has remained inactive for over 15 years, through a robust investment of Rs 360 crore.

The MoU, signed on March 6, 2026, in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, anticipates the sugar mill's revival within a year. It is set to have a processing capacity of 3,500 tonnes of cane per day and incorporate advanced facilities, including a 16 MW power plant and a Bio-CNG unit, extending substantial benefits to over 10,000 local farmers.

The initiative, rooted in the successful precedents seen in Gujarat, involves cooperation with National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited and SBI Capital Markets Limited for a comprehensive viability study. The project's holistic approach seeks to rejuvenate sugarcane cultivation in the region, enhancing farmers' income while catalyzing rural economic activity.

(With inputs from agencies.)