Karnataka: We need to increase sugarcane productivity by adopting new technology, says Minister
Karnataka’s sugar factories owe ₹700–800 crore to sugarcane farmers, with 95% of ₹18,000 crore already paid, said Minister Shivanand Patil. He emphasized tech adoption to boost productivity and ethanol’s role in green energy. At a Belagavi seminar, he urged cooperation among stakeholders to support rural development, noting Karnataka’s efforts like M.Sc. courses in sugarcane and ethanol technology.
Belagavi: Karnataka’s sugar factories owe dues around ₹700 to ₹800 to sugarcane farmers, Minister for Sugar and Textiles Shivanand Patil said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Patil assured that the State Government would ensure the remaining dues are cleared at the earliest, reported The Hindu.
“So far, around ₹18,000 crore has been paid to farmers, which is about 95% of the total amount owed,” he said, underlining the importance of sugarcane in the agricultural economy and the need to boost productivity using new technology.
“Sugarcane is an important agricultural product in India, from which sugar and ethanol are produced. However, we need to increase productivity by adopting new technology,” he said.
Patil emphasised the importance of combining traditional farming with scientific knowledge. He pointed out that Karnataka has already taken steps in that direction by starting M.Sc. courses in sugarcane and alcohol technology at the S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute in Belagavi.
Later in the day, he inaugurated a seminar at the institute. Addressing participants, Patil highlighted the State Government’s plans to promote green energy, especially ethanol, which he described as an eco-friendly fuel that helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“The Central Government is also focused on increasing the use of green energy. In Karnataka, ethanol production is steadily rising,” he said.
Commenting on fluctuations in sugarcane prices, Patil noted that just like other crops and commodities, sugarcane prices are not fixed. “Even gold prices vary. There may be delays in payments to farmers, but all stakeholders — farmers, factory workers, and management — must work together to overcome challenges, including those caused by weather,” he said.
He called on the sugar industry and cooperative institutions to collaborate in supporting farmers and rural communities. “This partnership can drive economic self-reliance and rural development. By adopting technology and ensuring environmental protection, we can boost farmers’ incomes and support the growth of our agriculture-based economy,” he added.
The seminar was held in association with the South Indian Sugarcane and Sugar Technologists Association and was attended by key industry leaders and experts. Among them were Sugarcane Development Commissioner and Institute Director R. Ravikumar, TruAlt Bioenergy and MRN Group Director Y.B. Ramakrishna, association president Chinnappan, Beelagi Sugar Factory President S.R. Patil, and National Sugar Institute Director Seema Paroha.
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Source : Chinimandi
