Economic Evaluation of Sugarcane Processing for Sugar-energy Production in sub-tropical India

Abstract

In sub-tropical India, sugarcane supply to sugar mills was partially through cane development co-operative societies and direct cane purchase from middlemen/growers. The cane farmers could reap higher income from ratoon crop, if they harvest plant crop timely and efficiently manage ratoon. Subtropical climate plays a key role in crop maturity and sugar recovery per cent. There is need for technological interventions to develop high sugar, insect-pest resistance, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance varieties for subtropical India. Sugar mills should ensure timely payment of sugarcane prices to farmers and encourage them for improved varieties adoption and mechanization. They should encourage contract farming with sugarcane grower for enhancing sugar crushing duration and sustaining economic viability of sugar mills in future.