Sugarcane is more than just a source of sugar. These crops are also a good source of other useful products. For instance, fermenting the juice extracted from sugarcane produces alcoholic beverages like rum. Processing and concentrating sugarcane also creates molasses, a thick dark syrup used in cooking and baking.
Sugarcanes have an even more important agricultural and environmental role besides their use in food. After extracting the juice, farmers use the leftover stalks, called bagasse, as natural fuel or raw material for making paper and biodegradable products. This process helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability.
Planning to start your sugarcane farm? To learn about sugarcane farming, read this blog below:
Leading Sugarcane Producing States in India:
In India, some states are especially well-known for growing sugarcane. They are considered to play an enormous role in the country’s supply of sugar and other products made out of sugarcane. You can check these states below.
- Uttar Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
- Odisha
Health benefits of Sugarcane:
Sugarcane is not only juicy and flavorful but also has several health benefits for the body. It is a source of vitamins, minerals and natural sources of antioxidants that are very beneficial to the body. We will look at the health benefits of sugarcane in the following points.
- Good for skin health
- Beneficial for kidney health
- Have anti-cancer properties
- Helps the digestive system
- Controls blood sugar levels in the body
- Works as an immunity booster
- Cures jaundice
Steps to Cultivate Sugarcane:
Sugarcane farming refers to the practice of cultivating this crucial plant with the aim of producing sugar. It begins with the cultivation of sugarcane in the soil, which needs ample sun and water to grow. In due course, the sticks begin to grow old, after which they are cut down for juice, which contains sweetness utilized in manufacturing sugar and other products. Read more about these processes below.
1. Weather Requirements:
- For proper growth, sugarcane performs well in warm and tropical environments, as well as well-defined wet seasons.
- Freezer or cold conditions are also unfavourable for the crop, and therefore, growers should plant the sugarcanes in areas that do not experience freezing conditions.
2. Soil Preparation:
- Soil Testing: It is recommended that the soil be examined to check its pH level and nutrient content before planting. Sugarcane grows well in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and a pH range of 5. 5 and 7. 0.
- Land Preparation: Remove all weeds and other debris in the field and proceed with the ploughing and tilling work using the Swaraj tractor. The tractor will help turn over the soil to break it up for better aeration and drainage.
- Fertilization: One should incorporate organic compost or well-rotted manure into the soil.
3. Plantation:
- Spacing: Space the sugarcane setts appropriately in rows to facilitate the penetration of light and air to the plants. In most cases, the rows are left with a gap of about 1.5 to 2 meters apart.
- Depth: Growers should bury the setts 5 to 10 inches below the soil, but t. However, this may vary depending on the type of soil and the amount of moisture available.
4. Irrigation:
- Initial Irrigation: After planting, irrigate the field properly to assist the setts in growing proper roots.
- Regular Watering: Irregular watering should be avoided throughout the growing period, but plants must be frequently watered during hot weather. Water plants depend on rainfall and the kind of soil required for their growth.
5. Pest and Disease Control:
- Monitoring: Carefully monitor the sugarcane for pests such as aphids and scale and diseases like bacterial wilt and fungal diseases.
- Management: Integrate natural predators and biopesticides in case of pest attack. One should use chemical treatments carefully to have minimal effects on the environment.
6. Harvesting:
- Timing: Sugarcane should be harvested when it reaches full maturity. Because of its highest sugar content, sugarcane is often harvested during this time. The cane should be dry and golden in colour.
- Equipment: To reduce time wastage, cut the cane using a mini tractor with a harvesting attachment. This equipment assists in cutting labour costs since the stalks are easily collected, thus boosting productivity.
7. Post-Harvesting:
- Cleaning: The first step is to wash the cane after it has been harvested to remove any soil or other materials that might be on it.
- Transport: Get the harvested cane to nearby mills as soon as possible to avoid deterioration and improve the sugar recovery rate.
- Field management: This involves several uses for harvesting waste. Farmers can turn these wastes into organic manure. They can also leave them in the field as compost. Another option is to feed them to animals. Finally, they can use the waste as fuel.
The Bottom Line:
Sugarcane is a very major crop in India. In fact, sugarcane cultivation supports the manufacture of most of the food items and beverages containing sugar, enabling a large number of farmers and labourers to derive a means of livelihood from it. By taking good care of the plants through proper planting, watering, pest control, and harvesting, farmers can grow healthy sugarcane.