NAMAKKAL: Alcohol production at the Mohanur Cooperative Sugar Mill in Namakkal district has remained suspended for the past five months owing to a shortage of molasses, affecting the mill’s revenue and raising concerns among sugarcane farmers.The cooperative sugar mill produces rectified spirit and fuel alcohol from molasses, a by-product generated during sugar production. A dedicated distillery and an ethanol production unit have been functioning on the mill premises for several years. The alcohol produced at the facility is supplied to distilleries, laboratories and other industrial users. Ethanol is blended with petrol.“Thirty years ago, a separate distillery was established at the Mohanur Cooperative Sugar Mill. The unit has been an important source of revenue for the mill by supplying alcohol to various industries. The present shutdown is causing a financial setback,” said O B Kuppudurai, secretary, Sugarcane Farmers’ Association.The distillery has the capacity to utilise 40,000 litres of molasses every day for alcohol production. The decline in sugarcane crushing and the resulting shortage of molasses have disrupted operations.“The mill management invested nearly Rs 5.57 crore in 2025 to modernise and expand the distillery and ethanol facilities,” said R Rajendran, a sugarcane grower from Mohanur.“Revenue from alcohol production plays a key role in supporting the financial health of the mill. The prolonged shutdown is affecting cash flow and making it difficult to service bank loans and other operational expenses,” said S Murugesan, a member of the sugarcane growers’ association.The farmers urged the govt to take immediate steps to procure molasses from other cooperative sugar mills in Tamil Nadu, particularly those that do not have distillery facilities of their own.Farmers suggested that the mill explore producing alcohol and ethanol directly from sugarcane juice during the upcoming crushing season.
