Dr. Patangrao S. Kadam’s concern for the rural poor led him to initiate socio-economic development from 1971 in the
drought-prone areas of Khanapur and Palus Talukas of Sangli District.

For over three decades, he continuously worked to bring positive change in social and economic conditions of the
people in this region.

“Sonhira” Sugar Factory is a significant milestone in agro-industrial transformation conceived by Dr. Patangrao Kadam.Established in 1999, Sonhira S.S.K. Ltd. has a licensed capacity of 2500 TCD and currently crushes more
than 3500 TCD.

Sonhira has got power to change the social, economic environment of the area. in operation from 1999 by
Founder Chairman Hon’ble Dr. Patangrao Kadam, Minister for Co-operation, Maharashtra State. This plant is working in excellent condition and the performance of this plant is very good. This place is well connected by rails on the Mumbai-Kolhapur main line and Karad station is around 25 km from this plant. This place is easily accessible by road and
National / State highway between Kolhapur-Pune-Mumbai as well as Pune-Bangalore National Highway area nearby.

The licensed capacity of the Factory is 2500 TCD. However, Sonhira SSK Ltd. is able to crush now an average of 3500
TCD, fully utilizing their resources effectively. Sonhira have their own cultivation land for cane production and they are
spread out to approximately 8000 hectare. The yield is around 5 lakes of tones per annum and this is likely to be
increased to 7-8 lakes per annum shortly. With the increase in yield, the cane crushing per day will also be increased.

The climatic conditions, viz. maximum temperatures, humidity, rainfall etc., is very much conductive to grow good quality sugar cane. Yield sugar cane per hector, as also the recovery in cane is high in this belt.

The command area for the factory is in most economically backward area of Kadegaon Taluka, Sangli Dist., of
Maharashtra. In general, the selection of site for the factory is very good and there is an assured supply of
sugarcane for the factory.