London, Dec 2(ANI): India has been elected chairman of the International Sugar Council (ISC), an apex organization of 88 countries dealing with development of sugar sector in the world.
During its 40th meeting held in London today, the council unanimously elected Dr. B.C. Gupta, Union Food Secretary, as its next chairman.
His name was proposed by the European Union (EU) and seconded by Mauritius.
Prime Minister of Fiji has been elected as the vice-chairman of the council.
Addressing the council meeting at London, just after the election, Dr. Gupta stated that his top priority will be further development and stabilisation of sugar sector by adoption of activities like production of ethanol, developing appropriate technology for conversion of bagasse into ethanol and adopting modern agricultural practices for boosting cane production.
He said election of India as the chairman of the ISC is recognition of India as a leading country in the sugar sector having production of 350 million tons of sugarcane and about 25 million tons of sugar.
India is the second largest producer of sugar in the world after Brazil and the biggest consumer of sugar.
Dr. Gupta is credited with making efforts for introducing production of sugar from sugar beet in India.
As a pilot project, 2000 hectares of saline land was brought under cultivation of sugar beet in Belgaum District of Karnataka.
Taking a note of Dr Gupta's contribution, the council expressed hope that many more innovative projects would be taken up in sugar sector during his tenure.
The ISC undertakes a number of activities in different parts of the world with a view to giving economic boost to the sugar sector.
The next meeting of the council will be held in New Delhi in April 2012. (ANI)
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