CONTEXT – In the last 6-7 years, the area under sugarcane has nearly doubled in Karnataka and Maharashtra, though it has gone up only partially across the country

SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM)

• Domesticated in Papua New Guinea over 6,000 years ago.
• Global Cultivation: One of the world’s largest crops by area.
• Cultivation Method: Hybrids grown using rotund cropping method on multi-year cycles; seeds sown once harvested for 3-4 years
• Research Focus: Developing climate-resistant and high sugar-content varieties at farm sciences universities and research centres.

SPURT IN AREA OF SUGARCANE CULTIVATION

• General Trend
  • More farmers are cultivating sugarcane in recent years.
  • The area under sugarcane cultivation has nearly doubled in Karnataka and Maharashtra over the last 6-7 years.
• Regional Statistics
  • Karnataka : Increased from 3.7 lakh hectares in 2016 to 6.9 lakh hectares in 2023.
  • Maharashtra : Increased from 9 lakh hectares in 2016 to 13.5 lakh hectares in 2023.
  • Pan-India : Increased from 47 lakh hectares in 2016 to 59 lakh hectares in 2023.

REASONS FOR THE INCREASE

• Government Initiatives
  • Union government’s biofuel drive pushing for increased ethanol adoption in petrol vehicles.
  • Relaxed export policies for sugarcane and its by-products.
• Technological Advancements
  • Improved efficiency in extraction, processing, and fermentation technologies.
• Economic Factors
  • Discovery of several by-products of sugarcane not bound by limiting laws like levy allocation.
  • Farmers find sugarcane more remunerative compared to other crops.

Farmer’s Perspective

• Financial Incentives
  • The industry provides substantial and quick financial returns to farmers.
  • Farmers abandon other crops due to lack of remunerative prices.
• Market Dynamics
  • Minimum Support Price (MSP) is declared for nearly 30 other crops, but without a systematic procurement mechanism.
  • Sugarcane has a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) announced a year in advance.
  • Factories offer higher prices than the FRP to attract farmers.
• Organised Buyer
  • The sugar industry is the only organised buyer compared to other cash crops like tobacco, areca, rubber, or spices.
  • Small farmers find it difficult to grow other cash crops.

BYPRODUCTS OF SUGAR MILLS

Identified byproducts include ethanol, oxygen, co-generated electricity, green hydrogen, bio-CNG, bio-compost, haemoglobin-based proteins, calcium carbonate, acetylene, and aldehydes, alongside traditional products like bagasse, molasses, press mud, and biodegradable paper and plates

ROLE OF THE S. NIJALINGAPPA SUGAR INSTITUTE (SNSI) (KARNATAKA STATE RUN INSTITUTION IN BELAGAVI)

Educational Programs

• Offers graduate and postgraduate courses in sugar and alcohol technology.

Research and Development

• Develops new sugarcane varieties.
• Provides training for farmers and sugar industry personnel.

Circular Economy Initiatives

• Innovative By-products: Encourages the production of various byproducts.
• Farmer Engagement: Aims to increase farmers’ income by integrating them into the production process.

Recommendations from SNSI

Building Farmer Communities

• Solar Energy Production: Encourages factories to help farmers produce solar energy and connect to the grid.
• Mass Renewable Energy Production: Factories can become key players in renewable energy by facilitating solar energy production.

Diversification

• Crop-Based Food Processing: Suggests diversification into food processing industries such as milk, soya, millets, and protein supplements.
• Profit Sharing: Recommends sharing profits with farmers to ensure mutual growth.

ETHANOL ECONOMY

Positive Outlook:

• Increased Revenue: Ethanol has diversified revenue sources for sugar factories, boosting their financial health.
• Capacity Expansion: Factories are enhancing crushing capacities and setting up new plants, leading to increased employment and economic activity.
• Government Support: The Union government’s target of 20% ethanol blend by 2025-26 has encouraged investment and production.
• Financial Benefits for Farmers: Higher ethanol prices translate to better income for sugarcane farmers, incentivizing production.

Challenges and Skepticism:

• Underpayment Concerns: Some leaders argue that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) underpay factories for ethanol, dampening enthusiasm for production.
• Ecological Concerns: Sugarcane cultivation is water-intensive and can lead to soil degradation due to mono cropping and chemical inputs.
• Health Considerations: Changing consumer preferences towards alternative sweeteners due to health consciousness impact sugarcane demand.
• Political Influence: Sugarcane’s status as a “political crop” raises concerns about electoral influences and policy biases.

Farmer’s Perspective:

• Commercial Viability: Farmers view sugarcane as a reliable cash crop with an organized market and consistent returns.
• Stable Income: Sugarcane offers minimal risk and assured income even in adverse weather conditions, supporting livelihoods.
• Comparative Economics: Despite ecological concerns, sugarcane remains economically viable compared to other crops, especially in terms of assured returns.

Industry Impact:

• Second Largest Agro-based Industry: Sugarcane sustains a significant agro-based industry, contributing to employment and economic growth.
• Profitability: Sugarcane cultivation yields substantial profits per acre, supporting rural economies.
• Market Dynamics: Farm gate prices and deductions by factories impact the actual income realized by farmers, necessitating fair pricing mechanisms.

FOCUS AREAS

Importance of Drip Irrigation

• Water Conservation: Drip irrigation saves up to 50% of water compared to traditional irrigation methods.
• Increased Yield: Empirical evidence shows that drip irrigation can increase crop yields by over 50%.
• Case Studies: In Maharashtra and Karnataka, farmers have achieved remarkable yields of up to 100 tonnes per acre, significantly higher than the average of 35 tonnes per acre.

Promoting Efficient Farming Practices

• Rotary Tilling of Green Manure: Farmers are encouraged to adopt rotary tilling of green manure to improve soil quality.
• Mulching: Mulching is recommended as a practice to retain soil moisture and prevent weed growth, contributing to better crop health.

Diversification Strategies

• Beetroot Cultivation: Efforts are underway to promote beetroot cultivation as an alternative to sugarcane. Beetroot requires around six months to grow, compared to sugarcane that needs one year. This shift can help in optimizing water usage and land productivity.

Policy Recommendations

• Sugar Factories’ Role: Sugar factories are encouraged to set up plants for extracting sugarcane from beetroot, aligning with the diversification strategy and water conservation efforts.

WAY FORWARD: ENHANCING SUGARCANE CULTIVATION

Embracing Sustainable Practices

• Focus on Drip Irrigation: Implementing drip irrigation systems can significantly conserve water and enhance crop yields, as evidenced by successful case studies in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Efficient Farming Techniques: Encouraging practices like rotary tilling of green manure and mulching to improve soil quality and promote healthier crop growth.

Diversification and Innovation

• Promoting Beetroot Cultivation: Encouraging farmers to diversify into beetroot cultivation due to its shorter growth cycle and potential for water optimization.
• Leveraging Sugar Factories: Encouraging sugar factories to invest in beetroot processing plants to support diversification efforts and sustainable water usage.

Collaborative Initiatives

• Industry-Academia Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between institutions like S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute (SNSI) and universities to drive research on climate-resistant sugarcane varieties and sustainable farming practices.
• Farmer Engagement: Engaging farmers in solar energy production and renewable energy initiatives, creating a circular economy model within the sugarcane industry.

Policy Advocacy

• Fair Pricing Mechanisms: Advocating for fair pricing mechanisms to ensure farmers receive equitable returns for their produce, promoting economic sustainability and farmer welfare.
• Ethanol Production: Continuation of government support for ethanol production, aligning with the national biofuel drive and providing additional revenue streams for sugar factories and farmers.

CONCLUSION: SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN SUGARCANE CULTIVATION

The surge in sugarcane cultivation presents both opportunities and challenges. By embracing sustainable practices like drip irrigation, promoting crop diversification, fostering industry-academia collaborations, and advocating for fair policies, the sugarcane sector can achieve sustainable growth while addressing environmental concerns and ensuring farmer prosperity. Collaboration and innovation will be key drivers in navigating the evolving landscape of sugarcane cultivation towards a more sustainable and resilient future.