BIJNOR: In a major boost to the sugarcane industry in Bijnor, a report released by the Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Department have stated that two of India's top five sugar mills belong to the region. The Bundki mill and the Dhampur mill in the district have an average yield of 11 per cent. Two mills from Maharashtra top the list with yields of 11.65 per cent each.

The high yield of sugar from the district is a result of the ready availability of sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh. The state stands second in the cultivation of sugarcane. It has nine sugar factories and 2.09 lakhs hectare of land for sugarcane cultivation.

According to district cane officer (DCO), OP Singh, "Bijnor is progressing fast in the yield of sugar and producing the best sugarcane varieties. This year, two of Bijnor's sugar factories came under India's top five mills in extracting sugar from sugarcane."

He also said that the inclusion of the Bijnor sugar mills among India's top five was an achievement for the both farmers and factory workers of the district.

"There has been a two per cent leap in sugarcane production since farmers adopted the trench method of farming. Also, the method helped farmers save half the water they use in irrigation," the DCO said. "Sugarmill officials from all over the country, and sugarcane experts from around the world are visiting Bijnor to learn more about the benefits of trench farming," he added.

Farmers are now using latest versions of scientifically developed variety of sugarcane, among which one called '0238' is the most popular. The cultivation area for this variety has been increased from 20 per cent to 75 per cent within two years. "Sugar factories are benefiting from this, as are farmers. The price of the latest variety of sugarcane is Rs 10 more than normal variety," he added.