.jpg)
In the midst of a thriving sugar industry in India, sugarcane cultivators in Punjab and Haryana face formidable challenges, including dwindling yields, marginal hikes in state advised prices, and the pervasive impact of diseases alongside escalating operational costs. The core issue revolves around plummeting yields, predominantly attributed to pest onslaughts, notably affecting the previously acclaimed Co 0238 variety. Farmers report a stark decline of 80 to 100 quintals per acre, exacerbated by the prevalence of diseases like red-rot, top-borer, and pokkah boeng.
This decline in productivity compels farmers to make the painful decision of abandoning sugarcane cultivation, resulting in a significant reduction in cultivated acreage. The predicament is further compounded by the complexities of manual harvesting, with migrant laborers facing the brunt of increased difficulty. This is reflected in the surge of labor costs from Rs 42 to Rs 45 per quintal in the previous year to Rs 55 to Rs 60 per quintal in the current year.
The rising cost of labor, coupled with poor yields, stands as a pivotal factor contributing to the diminishing acreage dedicated to cane crops. Both Punjab and Haryana witness a significant contraction in cultivation areas, with Punjab at approximately 88,000 hectares and Haryana at 96,000 hectares—marked declines from 92,000 hectares and 1.08 lakh hectares in 2020-21, respectively. This underlines the gravity of the challenges confronting sugarcane farmers, providing a sobering counterpoint to the overall buoyancy of the sugar industry.