Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Arun Shivayogi Honyal, Dattupant H Mitrannavar and Narayan Murigeppa Gunadal

Abstract:
Sugarcane is a major cash crop in India and plays a crucial role in the country's economy. It provides direct and indirect employment possibilities along the sugarcane value chain, including cultivation, harvesting, transportation, processing and marketing. It is one of the primary sources of income for millions of farmers. The sugar business provides money and supports livelihoods, which aid in rural development and the reduction of poverty. There are many uses for sugarcane by products such bagasse, molasses and press mud etc. The trends showed a increasing trend by 0.8%, 2.04%, 1.22% in area, production and productivity respectively. The instability indices for area, production and productivity for sugarcane in India were 7.90, 9.65 and 4.49 which indicates less risk in growing sugarcane crop in future. It was found that at the overall period, the area, production and productivity of sugarcane was highly consistent and stable. It was observed that the cost of cultivation of sugarcane per acre was Rs. 90327.54 out of this, 50.76 percent was variable cost. The average fixed cost per acre was Rs. 40617 which accounted for 89.94 percent of total cost of cultivation. The major items of fixed cost incurred by the farmers were, rental value of land accounting for Rs. 40000.00 per acre. The average yield of sugarcane was 60.8 tonne per acre. The average price realized by farmer respondents was Rs. 2833.33 per tonne of sugarcane. The gross returns on sugarcane production were Rs. 172266.5. Total cost was Rs. 90327.54per acre. Hence, the net returns were Rs. 81938.96, due to high yield and better management practices adopted by the sugarcane growers. The analysis of cost and returns indicates that the net return per rupee of expenditure in sugarcane production was Rs. 1.91. As the ratio is above unity, the cost of cultivation could be considered as a profitable venture. In India's economy, agriculture, food production, energy sector, and cultural practises, sugarcane has a wide range of uses. It is an essential crop that supports the expansion, rural development, and sustainable agriculture of the nation.