Indian Sugar Production Likely to be Lower

Sugarcane production undoubtedly political in nature has multiple problems related to weather. While we are yet to estimate production in southern and western states of Karnataka and Maharashtra respectively which has reflected major monsoon deficit this year, production in UP is no better.  Uttar Pradesh is second largest sugarcane producing state in the country. During 2014-15, from about 21.32 lakh ha area about 1389 lakh tonnes sugarcane produced with average productivity of 65.15 tonnes/ha.  

Weather conditions such as cooler nights, bright sunny days and light precipitation plays a vital role in productivity and quality of sugarcane and ideal conditions for harvesting are yet to come. However, farmers in many parts of UP has started harvesting their crop especially for jaggery which is fetching them upto Rs. 3460/qntl.  In this report, we have tried to collate information of Sugarcane harvest readiness in several districts of Uttar Pradesh.

In Meerut, lower production is expected due to decline in cane acreage. Small scale harvesting has commenced. During 2014-15, total sugarcane acreage has been about1.03 lakh ha which was about 8 percent less than the acreage of about 1.12 lakh ha during 2013-14. High yield of about 785 qntl/ha was recorded for 2014-15. Presumably because farmers have not been paid their previous dues, many of them reportedly have switched to other crops. There has been no rainfall from last one month and temperature is currently ranging around 28^oC. During next seven days, no rainfall is expected. Night temperature in next 7 days is likely to be around 12^oC.

In Bulandshahar, harvesting is expected to commence within next 10 to 15 days. Farmers are expecting that production would remain same as it was last year. During 2014-15, the district has witnessed about 19 percent decline in sugarcane acreage as compared to 2013-14. There has been no rainfall from last one month and temperature are around 28^oC. As per meteogram, no rainfall is likely during next seven days and night temperature is likely to be around 13^oC.

In Ghaziabad, sugarcane harvesting has started recently for making Jaggery. Sugarcane for crushing has not started yet. During 2014-15, the district has registered about 4 percent decline in area under Sugarcane cultivation as compared to 2013-14 area. Presently, temperature are around 28^oC. No rainfall is expected during next seven days and with night temperature of around 12^oC weather is likely to be cooler and dry and.

In Gonda, farmers are planning to begin sugarcane harvesting by first week of December. Farmers are expecting lower production in rainfed areas as compared to last year. The district has witnessed about 12 percent decline in sugarcane area in 2014-15 as compared to 2013-14. Day temperature are around 30^oC while cool and dry weather prevails in the district. The meteogram suggest no rainfall during next seven days and night temperature is likely to be around 15^oC.

In Sitapur, harvesting mainly for Jaggery has started recently. Varieties grown here are CoJ64, CoH2201 etc. During 2014-15, with about 1.32 lakh ha 1.8 percent Sugarcane has been increased in Sitapur as compared to 2013-14. Maximum temperature are ranging around 30^oC.  During next seven days, no rainfall is expected and with night temperature of around 11^oC weather is likely to remain cool and dry.

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