Media Release
Mechanization in Sugarcane Agriculture: The Need of the Hour for the Sugar Industry
ISMA collaborates with ICAR-IISR, Lucknow for an informative and useful session attended by government dignitaries, sugar industry experts, technology providers, farmers and sugar mills from across India.
Indian Sugar Mills Association, ISMA, in association with Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow conducted a seminar on ‘Mechanisation in Sugarcane Agriculture’ on dated 28th March, 2023 at the premises of ICAR-IISR, Lucknow.
The seminar was attended by distinguished dignitaries from Central and State Governments, including Chairman-CACP – Professor Vijay Paul Sharma and Addl. Chief Secretary and Cane commissioner (U.P.) – Shri Sanjay R. Bhoosreddy and Shri Subodh Singh, Additional Secretary Department of Food & Public Distribution, Govt of India.
Among other eminent guests were representatives from UPCSR - Shahjahanpur, experts from the sugar industry, technology providers, farmers and representatives from the sugar mills from across the country.
The seminar highlighted the following:
1. Ease of Farming: Every real change starts from bottom up and there is no doubt that when the farmers and the manufacturers will come together, it will usher a new era for the sugarcane industry.
2. Scarcity of Labour: Need for mechanization in sugarcane agriculture due to scarcity of manual labour and also expensive labour, so available.
3. Non-cane Material: Different speakers highlighted the challenges of higher non–cane material in the total cane weight, that happens in mechanically harvested cane - which is much higher as compared to manual harvesting.
It is good to know that currently around 2000 mechanical harvesters are in operation in the country covering only about 4% of total cane, which is almost negligible as compared to other cane producing countries like Brazil, Thailand and USA.
Propagation of mechanical harvesting will be a win – win situation for both the farmers and millers as first of all problem of labour can be solved. Secondly, due to even cane cutting and spreading of trash by mechanical harvesters, ratoonability of crop improves considerably which is directly beneficial to farmers at no extra cost.
Technology providers also displayed their products and informed visitors about the technological advances.
The sugar industry whole heartedly supports the change, however, challenges in implementation needs to be mitigated with the support of Government.
About ISMA.
Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) is a premier sugar organization in India. It is the interface between Government and private sugar mills in the country. The prime objective is to ensure that the functioning and interest of the private sugar mills in the country are safeguarded through conducive and growth-oriented policies of the Government.