Belagavi district is poised to further strengthen its position as Karnataka’s sugar capital, with 13 of the 42 proposals for new sugar factories submitted to the state government coming from the district.
Karnataka currently has 81 operational sugar mills, and Belagavi alone accounts for 29 of them—the highest number in any district.
The fresh wave of investment is being driven by the district’s robust sugarcane production, extensive irrigation network in the Krishna basin, and its well-established cooperative and private sugar industry. The growing demand for ethanol production and cogeneration-based power generation has also made the sector more attractive for investors.
Industry experts say Belagavi’s strategic location along the Maharashtra border, efficient transport connectivity, and access to sugarcane from neighbouring regions have further enhanced its appeal. The district also offers an established ecosystem of distilleries, ethanol plants, skilled manpower, and industrial infrastructure, helping reduce project costs for new entrants.
The proposed sugar mills are planned across Ramdurg, Bailhongal, Kittur, Savadatti, Belagavi, Gokak, Athani, Raibag and Khanapur by various private companies.
However, experts have cautioned that a rapid increase in the number of sugar mills could lead to intense competition for sugarcane, place additional pressure on already stressed water resources, and raise environmental concerns. They emphasised that future expansion should be carefully planned to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry in the region.