Technological Options and the Extent of Increase in Income of Sugarcane Growers in India

The paper has looked into the potential of income generation of an average sugarcane grower in India, based on primary and secondary information, sugarcane production scenario and growth over time at the national and state level. During the past 15 years, about 70 per cent of the sugarcane production growth has been due to area growth and only 30 per cent due to yield growth. On profitability front, the percentage of net returns over cost was observed to be decreasing, more so for the past 5 years. In some states, the total quantum of net returns has also decreased. For increasing the income of cane growers, seven technological options have been identified and the extent of their contribution in increasing the income has been quantified. These technological options are ensuring availability of healthy seedcane, improving ratoon yields, integrated weed management, introduction of sugarbeet as an alternate crop, growing of companion crops, mechanization of cane planting operations and biocontrol management of insect-pests and diseases in sugarcane. These options have the potential to increase income of cane growers on 0.77 ha farm on an average by 36424 (76.15%) at current prices in the short-run. The adoption of other technological options like integrated nutrient management and water saving technologies and effective extension service delivery have the potential to increase the income further.