Warana Complex |
Warana Group (Warana Nagar), situated on the banks of the Warana river, lies in a green valley about 35 kms from the city of Kolhapur, and about 400 kms from Mumbai. The transformation of Warana from a barren to its current prosperous and fertile region began with the setting up of a cooperative sugar factory near the village of Kodoli in 1959. The Warana Co-operative Complex was a forerunner of integrated rural development involving the cooperative movement that has had a classic ingredient of success—peoples participation. The Warana Co-operative Sugar factory initiated this movement that has resulted in the formation of over 55 cooperative societies related to sugar, milk, and poultry production. The total annual turnover of these societies exceeds $1.5 million (approximately Rs 6.5crores). Most of the societies are located within a radius of 4 kilometers. The complex has its own EPABX (Electronic Private Automatic Branch Exchange) facility for voice communication between various centers and societies. Some of the societies such as sugar and dairy have computerized their routine operations. The sugar factory is the backbone of the Warana complex. The sugar factory has won several awards for its efficiency and productivity. The Warana paper mill was set up to utilize the waste products of the sugar factory. A distillery has also been set up in the complex. An electricity generation unit has been set up using the waste water of the paper mill and the distillery. The energy generated by the unit is used by the paper mill. The Warana complex is designed to look after all the basic needs of the workers. They have been provided with living quarters, filtered water, inexpensive electricity, schools, physical training and cultural centers. Warana Group consist of more than 55 organizations out of which some major organizations are as under:
Warana Group is engaged in providing various facilities / benefits to the society people. In fact, farmers were suffering at the hands of unpredictable market forces during the period of 1950’s. But over a period of time with the emergence of above institutions, the socio-economic scenario have been changed and the members of the family of farmers – son, daughter and wife have been employed in Mahila Udyog, and sugar factories and allied activities and the overall standard of living is improved in the course of time. After the sad demise of late Tatyasaheb Kore, an incredible person and his son late Vilasdada, Warana people put their trust with soul, life and breath in their mass leader Shri. Vinayraoji Kore, MLA. Under his able dynamic impeccable leadership, Warana finds confidence in its futuristic endeavors. As well, after late Tatyasaheb & his beloved son, Vilasdada who left behind a wealth of ideas and hopes, Shobhatai Vilasrao Kore the daughter in law of Tatyasaheb and standing chairperson of Warana, have decided to keep alive these aspirations not with a monument but with a living pulsating institution and as a result, the Warana group has reached a highest crushing capacity of sugarcane in India i.e., 20,000 Tons Crushing of Cane per Day including the crushing capacity of other three Sugar units taken on lease basis and the production of sugar per day is 24000 Quintals. The Warana group is awarded ‘First Rank’ for largest Exporter of sugar among Co-operative sugar factories in India for the year 2005-06, 2006-07 & 2007-08 by National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories Ltd., New Delhi. |