Cane yield below average in state

Karnataka’s sugarcane yield is much below the average yield. It is just one-sixth of the average production.

Theoretically, sugarcane yield is 474 tonnes per hectare per year. However, the average yield of Karnataka is hovering around 80-85 tonnes per hectare. Field demonstrations on sugarcane done in farmers’ fields have shown an improved yield. It has resulted in 100 tonne per acre cane yield.

These factors indicate that there is wide scope to improve cane yield, according to Sir M Visvesvaraya Sugarcane Research Institute (VSRI) former Director D G Hapase. He said at a recent workshop on strategies for sugar mills to increase the availability of cane and its quality at VSI in Mandya that crucial issues related to water and soil. He elaborated ways of reducing the cost of cultivation by minimising use of seed material and fertiliser.

Delivering a lecture on yield maximisation and reduction in cost of cultivation in sugarcane, the sugarcane expert said the number of sugarcane plants and individual weight of sugarcane has profound influence on cane productivity. Pandurange Gowda, head of V C Farm, Mandya, said there are ample research inventions in sugarcane and these are required to be transferred to farmers’ fields. He stressed the need to bring about a change in the mind set of farmers and extension workers to adopt newer technologies. He suggested use of organics in sugarcane farming to achieve sustainability.

Gowda was of the opinion that seeds play an important role in cane production and seed nursery adoption by sugar mills is essential. He suggested to the sugar mills of South Karnataka to utilise the breeder seeds available in the V.C Farm. VSRI Director R B Khandagave elaborated drip and sub-surface irrigation in saving water and increasing sugarcane yield. He also recommended wider row and modified agro-techniques to be followed.

He suggested sugarcane growers to adopt trash mulching, application of 25 per cent extra potash, alternative furrow irrigation, minimum tillage, and use of organics as drought mitigating measures in sugarcane.

Fertiliser saving and increasing cane yield are possible by following modified ways of applying fertilizers in sugarcane, Khandagave said. Suggesting use of trash as organic manure, he explained the easy methodology to convert trash into organic manure. He also provided statistics related to cane yield and sugar recovery trend in the country.

About 72 persons representing the entire state participated in the programme.