{"id":78073,"date":"2025-12-15T15:54:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=78073"},"modified":"2025-12-15T15:54:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:24:51","slug":"sugarcane-production-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/sugarcane-production-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Sugarcane Production in India, Climatic Requirements, Government Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane is one of the most important <\/span><b>commercial and industrial crops<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in India. India ranks <\/span><b>second in the world after Brazil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in sugarcane production. It forms the backbone of the sugar industry and is closely linked with ethanol production, power generation, and rural employment. Nearly <\/span><b>50 million farmers and workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depend directly or indirectly on sugarcane-based activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Sugarcane Production in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India produces around <\/span><b>490\u2013500 million tonnes of sugarcane annually<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from about <\/span><b>5.5 million hectares<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of cultivated area. Sugarcane Production in India contributes significantly to agricultural GDP and plays a key role in ensuring energy security through ethanol blending. Its long growing period and multiple uses make it economically valuable but resource-intensive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/rice-cultivation-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rice Cultivation in India<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>Climatic Requirements for Sugarcane<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane is a <\/span><b>tropical and sub-tropical crop<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that requires hot, humid conditions during growth and cooler, dry weather during ripening for high sugar accumulation. A long frost-free period with adequate sunlight and moisture is essential for healthy cane development and good sugar recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Temperature:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prefers <\/span><b>20\u201330\u00b0C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for overall growth; <\/span><b>12\u201314\u00b0C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during ripening helps increase sucrose content<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rainfall:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Requires <\/span><b>75\u2013150 cm<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> annually, mainly during the growing phase; low rainfall during maturity is desirable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sunlight:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Needs bright sunshine for efficient photosynthesis and sugar formation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Humidity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hot and humid climate supports vegetative growth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Frost\/Cold:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Highly sensitive to frost and prolonged low temperatures, which reduce yield and damage the crop.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Climate needs at different growth stages:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Germination\/Sprouting:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Warm soil conditions, ideally <\/span><b>32\u201338\u00b0C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensure good sprouting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Active Growth (Tillering &amp; Elongation):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hot, humid, and rainy conditions promote rapid vegetative growth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ripening (Maturity):<\/b> <b>Cool, dry, sunny days with cool nights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are ideal for maximum sugar (sucrose) accumulation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Cropping Seasons of Sugarcane in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane is mainly grown in Autumn, Spring, Adsali (Preseasonal), and Eksali seasons. North India largely follows autumn and spring planting, while southern states practice long-duration crops.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 95.8914%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 94.7895%;\" colspan=\"5\"><b>Cropping Season and Varieties of Sugarcane<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 14.7295%;\"><b>Cropping Season<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 26.1051%;\"><b>Planting Months<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 11.3226%;\"><b>Major Regions<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 10.3463%;\"><b>Crop Duration<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 32.286%;\"><b>Features<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 14.7295%;\">\n<p><b>Autumn<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.1051%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2013November<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.3226%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 10.3463%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 32.286%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow growth in winter, rapid growth in spring; higher yield<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 14.7295%;\">\n<p><b>Spring<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.1051%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">February\u2013March (sometimes up to April\u2013May)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.3226%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 10.3463%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6\u20138 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 32.286%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shorter duration; delayed planting reduces yield<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 14.7295%;\">\n<p><b>Adsali \/ Preseasonal<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.1051%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">July\u2013August<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.3226%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 10.3463%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15\u201318 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 32.286%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-duration crop; higher biomass and yield<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 14.7295%;\">\n<p><b>Eksali<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.1051%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">January\u2013February<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.3226%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 10.3463%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 32.286%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One-year crop, widely practiced<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wheat-cultivation-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Wheat Cultivation in India<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>Varieties of Sugarcane in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India grows a wide range of sugarcane varieties suited for high yield, sugar recovery, and jaggery production. Selection depends on climate, soil, and end use.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 96.1909%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 95.3539%;\" colspan=\"3\"><b>Varieties of Sugarcane in India<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 20.6085%;\"><b>Category<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 35.3681%;\"><b>Major Varieties<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 39.3773%;\"><b>Characteristics<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 20.6085%;\">\n<p><b>General \/ High Yield<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 35.3681%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Co 86032 (Nayana), Co 0238 (Karan 4), Co 94012, Co 8014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.3773%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High productivity, good sugar recovery<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 20.6085%;\">\n<p><b>Jaggery (Gur) Production<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 35.3681%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CoG 6, Co 0212, Co 06022, Co 11015<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.3773%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher sucrose content, good for gur making<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 20.6085%;\">\n<p><b>Early Season (Dec\u2013Jan)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 35.3681%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CoC 25, CoG 6, Co 09004<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.3773%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early maturity, suitable for short seasons<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 20.6085%;\">\n<p><b>Mid\u2013Late Season (Feb\u2013Mar)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 35.3681%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Co 86032, Co 06030, Co 0212<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 39.3773%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Longer growth period, higher yields<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Method of Cultivation of Sugarcane in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane cultivation in India involves a series of well-defined stages, from land preparation to harvesting, and combines traditional practices with modern techniques.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Land preparation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fields are deeply ploughed 2\u20133 times and leveled to make the soil loose and well-aerated. Proper drainage is ensured to avoid waterlogging, which is harmful to sugarcane roots.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Seed material selection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Healthy, disease-free cane setts are selected from approved varieties. Traditionally, 2\u20133 bud setts are used, requiring a large quantity of seed cane.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bud chip settlings method:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Single buds are removed from cane and raised in a nursery. These settlings are later transplanted into the main field, leading to <\/span><b>substantial saving in seed material<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, uniform crop stand, and better germination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tissue culture planting:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sugarcane can also be cultivated using <\/span><b>settlings prepared from tissue culture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which are genetically uniform and disease-free, resulting in higher yield and better sugar recovery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Planting methods:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Furrow method is most common in irrigated areas; trench and ring pit methods are used in high rainfall or water-scarce regions to improve moisture use and root growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Spacing and planting depth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Proper row spacing allows better sunlight penetration, aeration, and nutrient absorption, leading to healthier crop growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Irrigation management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sugarcane requires frequent irrigation, especially during tillering and elongation stages. <\/span><b>Drip irrigation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is increasingly adopted to save water and improve efficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nutrient management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Adequate application of organic manure, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is essential for sustained growth and high yield.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Harvesting:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The crop is harvested at full maturity when sugar content is highest, usually 10\u201318 months after planting, depending on the variety and season.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Major Sugarcane Producing States in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane cultivation in India is mainly concentrated in the <\/span><b>Northern and Southern belts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to suitable climate, fertile soils, and irrigation facilities. <\/span><b>Uttar Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the largest producer by area, while <\/span><b>Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are leading producers with higher productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 92.2002%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 93.9157%;\" colspan=\"3\"><b>Major Sugarcane Producing States in India<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 11.9829%;\"><b>Region \/ Belt<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 11.8808%;\"><b>State<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 70.052%;\"><b>Features<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.9829%;\" rowspan=\"4\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Northern Belt<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uttar Pradesh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Largest producer in India; maximum area under sugarcane; fertile alluvial soil and canal irrigation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bihar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important eastern producer; revival of sugar mills; expanding cultivated area<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Punjab<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High yield due to intensive farming and assured irrigation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Haryana<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good productivity; well-developed irrigation facilities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.9829%;\" rowspan=\"5\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Belt<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maharashtra<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High productivity; strong cooperative sugar industry; large number of sugar mills<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern sugar mills; improved irrigation and technology adoption<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Highest productivity per hectare; favorable climate and efficient water use<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultivation in irrigated and delta regions<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Telangana<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Growing production with command-area irrigation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.9829%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Belt<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 11.8808%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gujarat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 70.052%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efficient sugar cooperatives; high sugar recovery rates<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Economic Importance of Sugarcane in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane is one of India\u2019s most important <\/span><b>commercial and industrial crops<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, contributing significantly to the agricultural economy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It supports the <\/span><b>sugar industry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is among the largest agro-based industries and has strong linkages with transport, packaging, and marketing sectors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The crop provides <\/span><b>direct livelihood to millions of farmers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>employment to workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in sugar mills, distilleries, and power plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane is the main raw material for <\/span><b>ethanol production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, playing a crucial role in the <\/span><b>ethanol blending programme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and helping reduce crude oil imports.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bagasse<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a by-product of sugarcane, is widely used for <\/span><b>electricity generation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, promoting renewable and clean energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Molasses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> derived from sugarcane supports the alcohol, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Production of <\/span><b>jaggery (gur) and khandsari<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supports rural and small-scale industries and provides income to local farmers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sugarcane sector encourages the growth of <\/span><b>cooperative institutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugar exports and ethanol-related products contribute to <\/span><b>foreign exchange earnings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, sugarcane cultivation promotes <\/span><b>rural development, industrial growth, and energy security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/millets-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Millets in India<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>Government Policies and Support Mechanisms<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The government fixes FRP annually to protect farmers from price fluctuations; it is linked to sugar recovery rates, ensuring better returns for higher-quality cane.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>State Advised Price (SAP):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> States like Uttar Pradesh announce SAP, which is often <\/span><b>higher than FRP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to provide additional income support to farmers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Promotes diversion of sugarcane and molasses for ethanol; blending targets have increased steadily, helping reduce surplus sugar and saving foreign exchange on fuel imports.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Interest Subvention Scheme:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Provides subsidized loans to sugar mills to clear <\/span><b>cane arrears<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, improving timely payments to farmers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Buffer Stock Scheme:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The government supports maintenance of buffer stock to stabilize sugar prices during surplus production years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Export Assistance Measures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Export incentives and policy support help dispose of excess sugar in international markets and prevent domestic price crashes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Support for Ethanol Distilleries:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Financial assistance is provided to set up and expand ethanol production capacity from sugarcane-based feedstock.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for sugarcane is fixed every year by the Union government (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on the basis of recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) before the start of the crushing season.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While determining FRP, factors such as <\/span><b>cost of production of sugarcane, return to farmers, domestic and international sugar prices, demand\u2013supply situation, and inter-crop price parity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are considered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sugar recovery rate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an important parameter; higher recovery attracts a <\/span><b>premium over the base FRP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, encouraging quality production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final FRP is notified under the <\/span><b>Sugarcane (Control) Order<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it <\/span><b>mandatory for sugar mills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to pay farmers at least this price.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FRP acts as a <\/span><b>minimum guaranteed price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, protecting farmers from market volatility and ensuring stable income.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Challenges in Sugarcane Production in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>High water requirement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop, leading to over-extraction of groundwater, especially in water-stressed regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delayed payment to farmers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Financial stress in sugar mills often results in <\/span><b>cane arrears<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, affecting farmers\u2019 income security.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Low mechanisation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Manual harvesting dominates, increasing labour costs and reducing efficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pests and diseases:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Attacks such as red rot, borers, and wilt reduce yield and sugar recovery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rising input costs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> High expenditure on seeds, fertilisers, labour, and irrigation lowers profitability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Price volatility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cyclical surplus and deficit in sugar production cause unstable prices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Environmental concerns:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Excessive use of water and fertilisers degrades soil health and ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Climate variability:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Irregular rainfall and temperature extremes affect productivity and crop quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promote water-efficient irrigation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expanding <\/span><b>drip irrigation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can reduce water use in sugarcane cultivation by <\/span><b>30\u201340%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while maintaining or increasing yields, as seen in states like <\/span><b>Maharashtra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Encourage crop diversification:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In water-stressed regions, shifting part of the area from sugarcane to less water-intensive crops can reduce pressure on groundwater.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthen ethanol production:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Achieving the <\/span><b>20% ethanol blending (E20) target<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will absorb surplus sugarcane, stabilize prices, and save billions in fuel import costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improve mechanization:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Increasing the use of mechanical harvesters can reduce labor costs and improve efficiency, especially in large farms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Develop climate-resilient varieties:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Investment in research can produce drought- and disease-resistant sugarcane varieties to cope with climate variability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ensure timely payments:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Financial reforms and better mill management can help clear <\/span><b>cane arrears<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, improving farmer income security.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>UPSC CSE Prelims PYQs<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Q.1 The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the (2015)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(a) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(b) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(c) Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(d) Agricultural Produce Market Committee<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ans: (a)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Q.2 With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements: (2020)<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A substantial saving in seed material is made when \u2018bud chip settlings\u2019 are raised in a nurse and transplanted in the main field.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(b) 3 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(c) 1 and 4 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(d) 2, 3 and 4 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ans: (c)<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Know about Sugarcane Production in India, its climate needs, cropping seasons, major producing states, economic importance, and government support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":78082,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4223],"class_list":{"0":"post-78073","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-sugarcane-production-in-india","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}