Diversify to increase productivity of sugarcane, farmers advised
At a Lucknow conference, principal secretary Veena Kumari highlighted boosting sugarcane productivity and diversifying into value-added products like ethanol and jaggery to strengthen the sugar industry. She stressed sustainable farming, R&D, and innovation. Experts, including Narendra Mohan and Sameer Sinha, emphasized demand-supply balance, fair pricing, and mechanisation to ensure viability and resilience in the face of industry challenges.
Lucknow: Principal secretary, sugarcane development, Veena Kumari, on Wednesday stressed that increasing the productivity of sugarcane is a critical aspect of enhancing the overall output of the sugar
industry. Addressing a conference on ‘Business Models on Mitigating Challenges Before the Sugar Industry,’ Kumari emphasised that the cultivation of high-yielding varieties of sugarcane and better farm management practices, including optimised irrigation, soil health, and pest control, can help improve the yield per hectare. She said it was not just about improving Sugarcane Productivity but also ensuring that farmers can make the most of the land they cultivate. This, she said, included supporting farmers with knowledge about Sustainable farming practices, access to quality inputs like fertilisers, and appropriate mechanisation for better farm management. Stressing the need for diversification to produce value added products, Kumari stated that the sugar industry has been largely dependent on the production of sugar, but diversification is now a necessity to create a more resilient industry. She mentioned that value-added products like ethanol, bio-based chemicals, jaggery, molasses, and other by-products of sugarcane should be developed and promoted. This not only creates new revenue streams but also makes the industry more sustainable.
“By focusing on these alternatives, the sugar industry can also cater to the growing market for green products, biofuels, and health-conscious consumers,” she said. Kumari also underscored the need for R&D as crucial for the future of the sugar industry. “Innovation in various sectors like crop genetics, farming practices, technology for production, and product development is necessary for continuous improvement,” she said. Former director of the National Sugarcane Institute, Narendra Mohan, stressed the importance of maintaining a sugar demand-supply balance in the wake of uncertainties due to unpredictable sugarcane and sugar production. He advocated for more standardisation through value addition and having diverse products to create extensive revenue streams. Sameer Sinha, president of the UP Sugar Mills Association, stressed that policymakers should advise and look into the MSP of sugar to help make the sugar business more viable. He also touched on the contours of mechanisation of sugarcane farming, soil health, and other factors for enhanced productivity and yield.
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Source : The Times Of India
