Transforming India Through Agriculture

About Sugarcane Cultivation

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is the main source of sugar in India and holds a prominent position as a cash crop. India is the world’s largest consumer and the second largest producer of sugar, with nearly 11 crore people directly or indirectly dependent on the sugar industry. It is one of the most important food-cum-cash crops grown in the country, providing employment to a large number of people, in addition to earning considerable foreign exchange. Sugarcane represents a source for 75-80% of worldwide sugar production.

Problems Faced by Farmers

Labor costs account for slightly over 45% of the total production cost, with cutting and loading expenses comprising the largest share of the variable costs. Due to the need for bulk carriage in transporting cane, growers often find that they do not have enough family members to manage the work, leading them to hire additional workers for cutting and loading.