Sugar Cane Farming in Bihar: A Flourishing Green Gold

The sugar industry is one of the second-largest in India after the textile industry. Farmers practise sugar cane farming in many subtropical and tropical states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana. The industry feeds millions of farmers in India, including many in Bihar. The agro-industry generates lots of jobs. Workers work on farms or farm-related industries.

The Increasing Potential Of Sugarcane Farming In Bihar

Bihar, a state rich in agro heritage, has seen outstanding growth in sugar cane farming. Sugarcane crops are famous for their versatility and profitability. It's helping the farmers in Bihar generate good revenue. The production of sugarcane supports the state's economy and also creates employment opportunities.

Farmers in Bihar are turning to sugar cane farming due to its impressive returns. The sugarcane crop grows further than other crops in the state's fertile plains. As a result, farmers are switching from old crops to sugar cane. The farmers are hoping to have a good harvest. Let’s learn about sugarcane farming.

Products and by-products of sugarcane.

The sugarcane plant offers sucrose, which is a very important food. Sugarcane is a good source of energy and a commercial product from fermentation and chemical synthesis.

It is meant to be one of the best converters of solar energy into biomass. It is a rich source of fibre. The main byproducts of the cane sugar industry are Bagasse, Molasses, and Press mud.

Agro-Industry Machinery: Need of the hour

Sugar mills are using sugarcane as raw materials. The main product of sugarcane is white sugar. Bihar's sugarcane industry is providing jobs for over six lakh families. The industry is giving work to fifty thousand skilled and unskilled workers. But, Bihar's agro-industry has been facing challenges lately, for example, the need for more labourers and Decrease in rainfall in the state

Tractors and machinery are usually used in farming. Now, the farmers in Bihar are more aware of machinery than before. They demand information on tractor prices in Bihar. Knowing the prices helps farmers make correct decisions. Also, the price comparison helps them plan their investment properly.

Suitable Climate for Sugarcane Farming

Sugarcane crop production is high in hot, sunny, and tropical areas. Bihar's climate is good for sugarcane production. A good amount of rainfall helps maintain the moisture in the soil. The irrigation system is suitable in the state. Rivers help farmers.

Land Preparation for Sugarcane Farming

Sugarcane can grow on diverse soils of many types. Sandy soils, clay loams, and heavy clays are good for sugarcane farming. Yet deep, loamy soil is ideal for sugarcane cultivation in Bihar. Farmers prepare soil using tractors. The soil is ploughed finely with the help of different tractor-drawn implements. The use of good machinery yields more crops.

Method of planting sugarcane

According to the weather conditions, farmers can plant sugarcane. Farmers usually plant in autumn from September to October. Some farmers plant from February to March in spring. Farmers must use good machinery to practice farming. This machinery includes the deep furrow, trench, ring pit, and paired row methods. It does not include the furrow system.

Irrigation methods

Sugarcane plants need regular irrigation at different stages. In the initial stage of sowing, the sugarcane plants are shallow and wet with a 2–3 cm depth of water. After some stages of tillering, grand growth happens. The irrigation period will be 8–10 days.

Harvesting of Sugarcane

Before varieties of sugarcane are harvested at 10 to 11 months of age, mid-season varieties of the cane crop are harvested at 11 to 12 months. Harvesting happens at peak maturity. The sugarcane is cut to the ground level.

The Pusa Institute Bihar Takes Major Steps To Improve The Productivity Of Sugarcane

We need to start a technology mission.

We should make efforts to popularise autumn planting with suitable intercrops.

Adopt a suitable variety of approaches for the conditions.

Always ensuring timely supplies of fertilisers and chemicals to cane growers.

Strong approach towards seed production and seed certification program.

Farm mechanisation in sugarcane is the need of the hour to fight the labour shortage in Bihar.

When planning the planting, consider the season.

Way Forward To Increase Yield

The use of good techniques will help yield good farming. Shortage of labourers will be omitted. Shortage of labourers will be omitted.

The government needs to introduce some kind of training programme to educate farmers on tools and techniques. There is an urgent need to prioritise the establishment of new sugar mills in the state. The old ones could be in better shape, too.

The farmers in Bihar are not very interested in government programmes because they lack knowledge. Active participation in government initiatives will help farmers grow. An active approach towards government initiatives can be really helpful for farmers.