The construction of the Jayakwadi Dam marked a turning point in the transformation of the Marathwada region. As irrigation reached many districts, particularly the Ambad taluka of Jalna, sugarcane cultivation expanded rapidly due to the availability of water.

However, at that time, Jalna district had no sugar factory. Farmers were left with limited options: either produce jaggery from their cane or sell standing crops to factories in neighboring districts—often at rates not favorable to them. This made it difficult for farmers to get fair compensation for their efforts.

With a deep understanding of the region’s needs and a vision for rural upliftment, Karmayogi Ankushrao Tope took the initiative to change this situation. Recognizing the potential of cooperative strength, he decided to establish the first cooperative sugar factory in Jalna district, under the name Samarth Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.

On 31st October 1980, he applied for a license, and on 31st December 1981, the Government of India granted the Letter of Intent for the factory’s establishment. The letter was officially presented on 29th January 1982 by then Union Planning Minister Shri Shankarrao Chavan.

Following this, a wave of enthusiasm spread throughout the region. Shri Ankushrao Tope and his associates undertook a rigorous outreach across the taluka to raise shareholder capital, which received overwhelming support. The factory was officially registered on 10th February 1982 under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960.

On 2nd March 1982, the Sugar Commissioner of Maharashtra appointed the factory’s first Board of Directors. In a meeting held on 10th May 1982, chaired by the District Collector of Jalna, Shri Ankushrao Tope was elected Chairman, and Shri Babasaheb Patil as Vice Chairman.

The movement gained momentum. After site inspections and discussions, Mahakala village was finalized for the factory’s location, and 403 acres of land were purchased. Machinery orders were placed with Richardson & Cruddas Ltd., Mumbai, following the Maharashtra Government’s recommendation on 13th July 1982.

With tireless efforts, ₹60 lakh in shareholder capital was raised. Additional funding included:

• ₹198.23 lakh as government share capital

• ₹425 lakh in long-term loans from financial institutions (IFCI, IDBI, ICICI – New Delhi)

• ₹100 lakh in medium-term loans from Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, Mumbai

The foundation stone for the civil structure was laid on 21st November 1982, in the presence of then Cooperation Minister Baburao Kale and Irrigation Minister Manikrao Bhamble. The main administrative building’s cornerstone was inaugurated on 21st May 1983 by the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Vasantdada Patil.

Since then, the factory has grown steadily, standing today as a beacon of cooperative success, regional development, and farmer empowerment in Marathwada.