Gujarat expects lower sugarcane yield

Changes in weather conditions seem to have taken its toll on the sugarcane yield in Gujarat, which is one of the major sugarcane growing states in the country. Cane growers in the state estimate a dip of 5-6 tonnes per acre this year.

The per acre yield of sugarcane in Gujarat stood in the range of 24-30 tonnes an acre in various regions. "However, the intial harvesting shows decline in the yield, which is likely to fall by 5-6 tonnes to 21-24 tonnes per acre during 2008-09 (November-May)," said Dilip Bhakta, chairman of Madhi Sugar Co-operative.

Industry players attribute weather changes to the fall in sugarcane yield. "The amount of heat in the atomosphere was relatively higher at the onset of the winter. Also, sporadic rainfall and cloudy weather in November impacted the photosynthesis process, which has resulted into lower yield of cane this year," he added.

"The total sugarcane acreage in the state is more or less the same as it was last year but the lower yield will bring down the cane production this year. The output may dip by 15 to 20 per cent in 2008-09," he added.

"Intial estimates indicate that the sugarcane production may be around 12 lakh tonnes in 2008-09, which was nearly 13.50 lakh tonnes," said Mansinh Patel, president, Federation of Gujarat State Co-operative Sugar Factories (FGSCSF). "Many sugarcane farmers in Gujarat have shifted to other cash crops, which is also one of the reasons behind fall in the cane production this year", he added. According to marketmen, sugarcane output may come down by 25 to 30 per cent across the country this fiscal.