Synopsis The Indian Sugar Industry is one of the oldest industries in the country. The rapid growth of sugar industry in Maharashtra has helped to a very great extent in stabilizing the sugar production in the country and reducing the chronic shortage of sugar. Maharashtra state produces about 1/3 of the total sugar produced in the country. Marathwada, a backward region of Maharashtra state, has good potential for sugarcane cultivation and development of sugar industry. Sugar industry adds to the income of the farmers, creates employment opportunities and educational and other facilities and ultimately leads to economic development. This book examines the growth of sugar cooperatives in Marathwada with respect to area, yield and production of sugarcane, sugarcane crushed, sugar recovery and capacity utilization. It also assesses the impact of sugar cooperatives on economic development of this region during the last 23 years. This study also makes some important suggestions for the development of the region through sugar cooperatives.