Sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most significant contributors to India’s agro-industrial economy. Known as the “Sugar Bowl of India”, UP leads the country in both sugarcane cultivation and sugar production. With over 50 lakh farmers engaged in sugarcane farming and hundreds of sugar mills operating in the state, the crop is not just an economic commodity but a livelihood for millions.
This article explores the evolving landscape of sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh, including trends, policy interventions, challenges, and future prospects.
Uttar Pradesh: The Top Sugarcane Producing State
Uttar Pradesh consistently ranks #1 in sugarcane cultivation in India. In the 2023–24 season, the state reported:
- Total cultivated area: ~29.7 lakh hectares
- Sugarcane production: ~249 million tonnes
- Number of sugar mills: Over 120
- Sugar output: More than 10 million tonnes
- Average yield: ~84 tonnes per hectare
Districts like Saharanpur, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, and Lakhimpur Kheri are key hubs of cane farming due to their fertile soils and irrigation infrastructure.
Economic Importance of Sugarcane in UP
Sugarcane is a cash crop that directly supports:
- Farmers’ income through sale to sugar mills and jaggery units
- Industrial sectors like sugar refining, ethanol distillation, and paper production
- Rural employment through harvesting, loading, and mill operations
The state’s sugar economy is valued at ₹50,000 crore+ annually, making it one of the largest rural-based agro-industries in the country.
Government Support and Farmer Welfare
To ensure fair returns for growers, the Uttar Pradesh government fixes a State Advised Price (SAP) annually:
- ₹370 per quintal for early-maturing varieties
- ₹360 per quintal for common varieties
These rates are higher than the Centre’s Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), ensuring better compensation for farmers.
Other government initiatives include:
- e-Ganna app: For online ticketing, supply monitoring, and payment tracking
- Digital cane survey: To reduce corruption and delays in cane procurement
- Subsidies on drip irrigation and bio-fertilizers
- Support for mini jaggery (gur) units and ethanol blending
Varieties and Innovations in Sugarcane Farming
Uttar Pradesh farmers largely grow varieties like:
- Co 0238 – widely adopted but now facing disease issues
- Co 15023, Co 15024 – newer, resistant to red rot
- CoLk 94184, Co 0118 – regionally adapted strains
Due to increasing cases of red rot disease, there is an urgent need to shift to resistant varieties. The Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), Lucknow, is leading efforts in this area by promoting crop rotation, varietal substitution, and soil health management.
Ethanol: A New Avenue for Sugarcane Diversification
In line with the central government’s ethanol blending policy, Uttar Pradesh has become a leader in ethanol production. Sugar mills and standalone distilleries are being upgraded to produce ethanol from:
- Sugarcane juice
- B-molasses and C-molasses
- Press mud and bagasse (by-products)
In 2023–24, UP produced around 150 crore litres of ethanol, which not only adds value to sugarcane but also ensures price stability for farmers.
Challenges Facing Sugarcane Farmers
Despite its high economic importance, sugarcane farming in UP is not without challenges:
1. Disease Threats
The widespread red rot infection, especially in Co 0238, has reduced yields and sugar recovery.
2. High Input Costs
Labor, fertilizer, and water requirements are intensive. Mechanization is limited due to small landholdings.
3. Groundwater Stress
Sugarcane is a water-guzzling crop, leading to rapid groundwater depletion in western UP districts.
4. Delayed Payments
Though digital systems have improved the situation, some farmers still experience delays in receiving dues from mills.
5. Market Dependence
Sugarcane prices are politically sensitive and subject to mill recovery rates and ethanol policies.
Future Strategies for Sustainable Sugarcane Cultivation
To ensure the long-term sustainability of sugarcane farming in UP, a combination of policy, technology, and education is needed:
- Promote less water-intensive, early-maturing varieties
- Expand adoption of drip irrigation and mulching techniques
- Encourage ethanol and jaggery cooperatives at the village level
- Strengthen research-extension linkages through KVKs and IISR
- Introduce minimum support price (MSP) for ethanol-bound cane
- Incentivize crop rotation with legumes, oilseeds, or pulses
Conclusion
Sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh is at a crossroads. On one hand, it offers stable income and market linkages, while on the other, it faces ecological and disease-related challenges. With the right mix of innovation, government support, and farmer awareness, the state can continue to lead India’s sugar economy while making the crop more sustainable and profitable.