Mumbai, October 21
Surplus rains this year across Maharashtra have encouraged farmers of even formerly drought-hit regions to plant sugarcane.
According to the state agriculture department, the acreage under sugarcane is expected to hit a record high this year. “Even farmers in Marathwada, which was reeling under severe drought for the past four years, are planting sugarcane this year,” an official said.
The sugarcane crop takes more than a year to mature and the crop being planted now will be ready for harvest by the end of next year.
Though sugarcane needs plenty of water, heavy rains this year have raised ground water levels and farmers are optimistic about harvesting their crop even if the rains are below normal during the next monsoon, say officials.
So far the highest area under sugarcane at 10.54 lakh hectares was in 2014-15, when Maharashtra produced 105.14 lakh tonnes of sugar. The acreage is expected to be higher now as acreage under cane had declined in Marathwada in the past two years, according to officials.
“Farmers have taken to sugarcane as the government has increased the fair and remunerative price paid for it this year. It is expected to be increased next year as well,” says BB Thombare, president, Western Indian Sugar Mills Association.
With politicians controlling the sugar mills in every district of the state which buy cane directly from farmers, its cultivation is considered more lucrative as compared to other crops, which are subject to price fluctuations.
Onion farmers take the sweet plunge, too
According to traders, the acreage under onions is expected to fall sharply as a glut eroded the profits of farmers this year. Most of them have now switched to sugarcane and there could be a severe shortage of onions in the coming year, according to experts