THE Sugar Ministry expects sugarcane production to rise by 200,000 tonnes annually.
Minister Charan Jeath Singh said the production forecast for this year’s season was 1.5 million tonnes.
“In the last two years, because of the drought and other climate change issues, the factors that we had, the crop size went down to 1.3 million tonnes,” Mr Singh said.
“But the forecast of FSC for this year’s season is that we probably will increase our production of cane to 1.5 million tonnes, which is a good result. It’s working now.”
Mr Singh said if government assistance continues to be provided to the farmers, sugarcane production will continue to increase.
“So, if the trend continues and if the subsidies are given, and if the help given to the farmers continues, I’m pretty sure we can increase our tonnage of cane every year by 200,000 tonnes.”
Mr Singh said the Government has given assistance in the form of farming implements as well.
“Last year we brought in cane planters, which do double-row planting, unlike before they used to do single-row planting.
“These new planters that we brought in give a double-row planting, which means you double your crop within the same perimeter.
“Currently, we’re doing about 47 tonnes per hectare. With this new method of planting, we should double the tonnage. So, from 47 to 90 tonnes, or even 100 tonnes per hectare.
“That’s the way in other places in the world they’re doing cane farming, which was not the practice here.
“When they double the crop size, they (farmers) increase their income as well.”
Mr Singh said they were teaching modern farming techniques to the growers.
“These are the ways I’m trying to teach the farmers.
“Forget your old practices, come and do modern farming.”
