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‘Better
sowing methods can boost sugar sector profitability’
Ashok
B Sharma in New Delhi
The profitability of the sugar sector in the country can be
effectively increased if scientific methods of sowing seeds
are adopted and mills are revamped with modern technology, said
Dr Chandan Chowdhury, director, business development in Industrial
& Financial Systems (IFS) Asia-Pacific.
Dr Chowdhury who has conducted a study on the sugar sector in
the country, told The Financial Express that if proper sowing
of cane is done, farmers can save about Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000
per acre.
Farmers can invest Rs 18,520 per acre and earn a net profit
of Rs 61,480. But unfortunately this is not happening. Practically
there is no extension services to the farmers. The sugar industry
does not render proper extension services.
He said that it is unfortunate that India is one of the largest
producers of sugar, but poorest in terms of yields in sugar
and sugarcane. He said that the most important agenda missed
by the sugar industry in India is that ‘sugar is not produced
in mills, but in farms.’ This means that we need to grow more
healthy canes with high sucrose content so that good quantity
of sugar can be extracted, thereby increasing the profitability
of the farmers and the industry.
Dr Chowdhury said that during his visit to sugarcane fields
in different parts of the country, he found that the farmers
are using seeds which are about a year old.
This is one of the main reason why the content of sugar in India
is at a low average of 8.5 per cent to 9 per cent. He said that
the farmers should use seeds which are seven to eight months
old. Only disease-free single eyebud seeds should be used so
that germination can be assured and save the farmer from incurring
avoidable losses.
But instead of following this scientific practice, the farmers
are sowing a year-old seeds and not being sure of germination
of all seeds they sow as much as two to three tonne of seeds
per acre.
This has resulted in narrowing down the distances between rows
of cane sown, causing difficulties in irrigation and management
of weeds. It has been observed that polybag seedlings have given
better tillers and synchronisation of tillers.
The cane growers should go for this technology. It costs about
Rs 2,000 per acre. It is always adviceable to sow one tonne
of seed per acre, in lieu of two to three tonne per acre. This
will reduce the cost by about Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per acre.
He said that first the single eyebud seeds should be treated
with fungicides (Bagalol/Zoom).
Seeds should be coated with phosphate double culture (Booster/Wonderlife).
Then polybagging should be done to ensure cent per cent germination.
The root development takes place before planting.
After planting from day one it starts taking nutrients from
the soil. Hence proper field preparation should be done in advance
and proper admixture of nutrients suitable for the particular
type of soil should be estimated in advance. Dr Chowdhury said
that his study revealed that most of the sugar mills in the
country are operating with obsolete technology.
This has often resulted in breakdown in plants, even when there
is an assured power supply. He stated that there is no problem
in power supply to mills.
Most of them have assured power supply. Only constraint is the
old technology. This results in cane not being crushed in time.
If the canes are not crushed in time after being harvested,
there is a definite fall in sucrose content leading to a low
sugar recovery.
He said that the extension services rendered by sugar mills
in Maharashtra and south India are better than the rest of the
country. But the conditions of the mills operating on obsolete
technology is same all over the country. Some serious thought
need to be given in this direction, he said.
Finally Dr Chowdhury suggested that the sugar industry barons
and cane growers should visit the Vikram Farm at Nahuli in Gujarat
to acquaint themselves with the scientific technology.
Vikram Farm is a demonstration project jointly undertaken by
United Phosphorous Ltd and Jai Prakash Foundation.
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