A Vellayan, Chairman of Murugappa Group, is optimistic that sugar production would touch 25 million tonnes this year, notwithstanding a weak monsoon, in the next season starting October.

“UP is big question mark (in regard to sugar production), but in Maharashtra there has to be excess cane production. Karnataka will also see some excess production. Overall, I think there will be 25 million tonnes of sugar production (during the harvesting season that starts from October),” Vellayan told media persons here.

He said the Government’s move to increase the import duty on sugar will boost the domestic industry.

EID Parry, a Murugappa group company, is a leading sugar producer in the country.

Vellayan said the rainfall deficit had come down to 15 per cent of the forecast in the last two weeks and it could improve further.

“In the last two weeks, the deficit has come down to 15 per cent in the addressable market as far as we are concerned in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. I think we have to see next three weeks how it pans out. Current indications are looking positive,” he explained.

Fertilier maker Coromandel International, another Murugappa Group company, has its major markets in these States.

Earlier, Coromandel signed a MoU with IIM-Ahmedabad Alumni Association’s Hyderabad chapter to support the latter’s Udbhav school in the city.

Under the MoU, a new common trust will be created by both the parties, in which Coromandel will contribute ₹3.5 crore and an equal amount by IIM-AAA, Hyderabad chapter.

Meanwhile, the fertiliser maker will support with ₹35 lakh a year for three years.