Sugarcane is a warm-climate plant that requires a lot of water, which makes India an ideal environment for cultivation. India comes in second place when it comes to the production of sugarcane in the world. It's mainly grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Andra Pradesh. Additionally, sugarcane farming supports many industries, such as the distillery, paper, and bioproduct sectors.

The given guide will explain to you all the challenges, processes, benefits, and economic importance of sugarcane farming in India.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a hardy crop, but it requires specific climatic and soil conditions for optimal growth. The main factors are as follows:

  • Climate: Sugarcane grows very well in hot climates with temperatures ranging between 20°C to 32°C. The plant needs regular sunshine and is sensitive to cold temperatures.
  • Rainfall: The crop requires an annual rainfall of 1500 to 2000 mm. Significantly, the regions that receive regular rainfall and have better irrigation systems are best for farming sugarcane.
  • Soil: Sugarcane requires fertile, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Therefore, if the soil is not well-drained, the risk of waterlogging can increase.

Complete Procedure for Sugarcane Farming

There are multiple steps included in sugarcane farming, and every stage has to be managed carefully for high yield and proper growth. Below is a detailed explanation of each step:

Land Preparation

Sugarcane thrives in fertile, well-drained soils that retain moisture.  In most areas, farmers use tractors for soil preparation as they are more efficient and save time. Nowadays, one of the most popular tractors for farming is the John Deere 5050 D . The tractor comes with an engine capacity of 2900 CC and generates 50 HP. The John Deere 5050 D price in India starts from Rs 8.46 lakh. This tractor is ideal for working in rough fields and also boosts productivity. Land preparation involves the following steps:

  • Ploughing: Farmers plough the soil to a depth of 30 cm to 45 cm, breaking up the soil and making it suitable for planting.
  • Levelling: After ploughing, the land is levelled to facilitate uniform water distribution.
  • Creating Furrows: Furrows are prepared to plant sugarcane setts (cuttings) in rows spaced 75 cm to 90 cm apart.

Planting

Sugarcane is cultivated by planting cut pieces of mature cane called setts, each containing at least one bud. To ensure that these setts receive enough rain, they are planted during the monsoon season between June and September.

Irrigation

The farming of Sugarcane requires a huge amount of water, especially in dry climates, so it needs proper irrigation. If the region does not get much rainfall, different irrigation methods, such as drip, sprinkler, and furrow irrigation, can be useful. In the early stages of growth, irrigation is very important, as sugarcane requires a regular supply of water to develop roots and leaves.

Fertilization

Sugarcane needs high quantities of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Although the methods may be different, a mixture of chemical and organic fertilizers is used. Organic fertilizers, such as compost and manure, improve the quality of the soil, while chemical fertilizers provide the nutrients. However, Farmers should not over-fertilize because it can imbalance the soil.

Pest and Disease Management

Sugarcane is easily affected by many pests like the sugarcane borer, root-knot nematodes and white grub. Common diseases affecting sugarcane include red rot, smut, and wilt. That's why farmers should use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies such as Cultural Practices, Biological control and Chemical control to control it.

Harvesting

The harvestation process takes place 12 to 18 months after planting, depending on the type and climate. Harvesting is usually done by hand, with workers cutting the cane at ground level. This process is usually carried out in the summer season and requires experienced labour. However, some farmers also use implements to save labour costs and transport the cane to nearby mills. 

Post-Harvest Management

Once the harvesting is done, sugarcane is transported to mills for making sugar. The cane is also used to produce secondary products such as ethanol, bagasse, and paper. The best way to efficiently transport the sugarcane is through a tractor. For example, if you are looking for a tractor with a powerful engine and good mileage, then John Deere 5075e might be useful for you. In India, the John Deere 5075e price varies from Rs 15.47 to Rs 16.85 lakh, depending on the variant. The durability and low maintenance cost is making it very popular among the farmers.

Challenges in Sugarcane Farming

If you are farming sugarcane in India, then you have to face a few challenges. Some of the major challenges are mentioned below:

  • Water shortage: Sugarcane needs a constant supply of water and gets easily affected in case of droughts and water shortages. 
  • Pests and Diseases: Sometimes, even after practising IPM, there are a few pests and diseases that continue to cause harm to the field.
  • Price Change: The demand for sugar and government policies have a huge impact on the price of sugarcane. Sometimes, farmers find it difficult to get a fair price for their production.
  • Lack of Labour: Sugarcane farming requires a lot of workers, but many areas face a lack of labour due to people moving from rural areas to cities.

Conclusion

Ultimately, sugarcane farming plays an important role in India's agriculture sector. It is not only used in making Ethanol and other products but also offers employment to thousands of farmers. For successful sugarcane farming, you should use modern methods of irrigation and pest management. If you use the correct methods and have proper support, then Sugarcane has a bright future in India.