How Sugarcane Farming in Uttar Pradesh is Evolving with Innovation and Policy Support

Uttar Pradesh has long been the center of India’s sugarcane revolution. With fertile soils, extensive irrigation, and strong institutional support, the state continues to lead in sugarcane cultivation and sugar production. But today’s challenges from rising input costs to climate stress are pushing the sector to adapt and innovate.

This article explores how sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh is undergoing transformation through technology, smart policies, and a shift towards sustainability.

A Glimpse at Uttar Pradesh’s Sugarcane Dominance

Sugarcane is grown across over 30 districts in UP, mostly in the western and central regions. In the 2024–25 crop season, Uttar Pradesh achieved:

• Area under cultivation: 29.7 lakh hectares

• Total cane production: Nearly 250 million tonnes

• Sugar mills in operation: 120+

• Farmers involved: Over 50 lakh

• Average yield: 84–90 tonnes/hectare

Districts such as Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Saharanpur, and Lakhimpur Kheri serve as hubs for cane and jaggery (gur) markets, supporting entire rural economies.

Sugarcane: A Lifeline for Rural Livelihoods

Unlike other crops, sugarcane provides long-term income security for farmers. Its 12–16 month growing cycle may seem lengthy, but the returns are predictable due to:

• Assured procurement by sugar mills

• Minimum support prices fixed by the state

• Growing demand for ethanol and jaggery

• Government-backed digital services for monitoring payments

For many smallholders in UP, sugarcane is not just a crop—it’s a source of livelihood, energy, and rural employment.

Sugar Pricing and State Support

The State Advised Price (SAP) fixed by the Uttar Pradesh government continues to be higher than the Centre’s Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP). For the 2024–25 season:

• ₹370 per quintal – Early-maturing varieties

• ₹360 per quintal – General varieties

• ₹355 per quintal – Late-maturing varieties

In addition, the e-Ganna app, introduced by the state government, offers farmers transparency in supply tickets, schedules, and payment tracking.

Rising Threats: Diseases and Declining Productivity

While UP leads in production, it also faces emerging threats:

• Red rot disease has affected large tracts of the popular Co 0238 variety

• Top borer and wilt diseases are becoming common in ratoon crops

• Long-term monocropping has led to soil fatigue and reduced microbial activity

To address this, agricultural research institutions are recommending:

• Crop rotation with pulses, mustard, or vegetables

• Timely removal of infected clumps

• Introduction of resistant varieties such as Co 15023, CoLk 94184, and Co 0118

The Ethanol Economy: Boosting Farmer Incomes

With India’s ethanol blending target of 20% by 2025, sugarcane is now a vital feedstock for green energy. Uttar Pradesh, with its abundant cane and existing mill infrastructure, is leading the shift:

• 150+ distilleries are operating or under construction

• Ethanol is now being produced directly from sugarcane juice and B-molasses

• Farmers benefit from better prices when cane is diverted to ethanol production

This diversification protects growers from market crashes during sugar glut years, ensuring steady income.

Innovation in the Field: Smarter Sugarcane Cultivation

Technological adoption is gaining pace among progressive cane farmers in UP:

1. Mechanization

• Sugarcane planters and harvesters reduce labor dependency

• Ratoon management tools improve second and third cycle yields

2. Water Use Efficiency

• Drip irrigation systems are being promoted with government subsidies

• Soil moisture sensors help in smart irrigation scheduling

3. Integrated Nutrient Management

• Use of press mud, green manure, and biofertilizers is being encouraged

• Excessive urea usage is being phased out with balanced nutrition programs

Sugar Mills: The Industrial Backbone of Rural UP

Sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh play a pivotal role in rural development. They are increasingly moving toward:

• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) standards to reduce pollution

• Setting up ethanol plants within their campuses

• Collaborating with farmers for direct cane development programs

• Offering input support, training, and crop advisory via CSR units

Mills are also exploring value-added products from cane by-products like bagasse (used in paper and power), press mud (used as compost), and molasses.

The Road Ahead: A Call for Balanced and Sustainable Growth

To sustain its leadership in sugarcane farming, Uttar Pradesh must focus on:

• Diversification of cropping patterns

• Greater support for rural women and youth in cane farming

• Strengthening farmer-producer cooperatives

• Promoting climate-resilient cane varieties

• Transparent, timely payments from sugar mills

The key is to make sugarcane profitable, environment-friendly, and inclusive.

Conclusion

Sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh is no longer limited to traditional methods. It is transforming into a modern, technology-enabled, and policy-supported enterprise. With millions of livelihoods tied to this crop, its sustainable development is not only vital for UP but for India’s broader agricultural economy.

As the ethanol economy grows and research-driven practices take root, sugarcane farming in UP is poised to become more resilient, productive, and future-ready.