Pabna Sugar Mill started production for this season amid fears of losing nearly Tk 85 crore.

The authorities have set a target to produce 5,625 tonnes of sugar for 2010-11, out of75,000 tonnes of sugarcane, but the shortage of sugarcane may see the mill missing the target, mill officials said.

Md Mohib Ullah, managing director of the mill, said, “Though the target is fixed at 75,000 tonnes, we would not be able to crush more than 65,000 tonnes as sugarcane farming is poor this year.”

The mill produced 3,600 tonnes of sugar by crushing 43,121 tonnes of sugarcane last year.

An inauguration programme was held at the mill premise on Friday. Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu, lawmaker of Pabna-4, spoke at the programme as chief guest.

“The government is determined to develop agrobased sectors. Employees of the mill should work hard to make it profitable and steps should be taken to reach the target," Dilu said.