Despite high cane dues, sugarcane sowing up 4% in UP

Despite high cane dues, sugarcane sowing up 4% in UP

Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest sugarcane producer, is expected to see another bumper crop in the coming season. The total area under sugarcane cultivation is estimated to be up by 3-4% year-on-year.

According to industry sources, there is a continuous uptick in sugarcane planting for the 2022-23 (October-September) season, with higher cane prices providing the incentive for farmers to grow the crop instead of paddy and wheat. As per data, the state is estimated to have upward of 2.93 million hectare of land under sugarcane cultivation in 2022-23, against 2.84 million hectare in 2021-2022 season. The total area under cane was 2.76 million hectare in 2020-21 and 2.74 million hectare in 2019-20.

Another reason for farmers turning to cane production is the fact that sugarcane is a sturdier crop compared to wheat and paddy and can withstand the vagaries of weather better that the rest. “While timely and adequate rains are absolutely necessary for wheat and paddy, deficit or late rains are conducive for the sugarcane, which is a major reason for the farmer turning to this crop,” said another miller.This year, the state advised price of sugarcane was Rs 350 per quintal for the early variety, Rs 340 for the normal variety and Rs 335 for the rejected variety.While cane payments of Rs 27,780 crore were cleared till July 5, another Rs 7,400 crore was pending.