Indian Sugarcane Acreage Up by 4.5%

The latest data shows a 4.5% increase in sugarcane acreage this year, promising a robust harvest for the 2024-25 season. The total area under sugarcane cultivation has reached 5.421 million hectares as of June 7, up from 5.188 million hectares last year. The current heat wave in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra has contributed to a disease-free crop. "We used remote sensing technology and physical surveys to distinguish between plant and ratoon crops, giving us a realistic estimate of production," said an official source.

Sugarcane Production Target Set for 2024-25

The government is set to release detailed sugarcane acreage data and a kharif sowing update later this month. The yield from ratoon crops is typically 10-20% lower than plant crops. The targeted sugarcane production for 2024-25 is 470 million tonnes, compared to the estimated 442.53 million tonnes for 2023-24. This increase in production is supported by the favorable growing conditions and expanded acreage.

Sugar Industry Eyes Free Export Policy

The sugar industry is pushing for a free export policy for the upcoming season starting in October. With the increased sugarcane acreage, mills will benefit from higher availability when crushing operations commence for the 2024-25 sugar season. The data, supported by advanced remote sensing and physical surveys, suggests a promising year ahead for sugarcane farmers and the industry at large.

The increase in sugarcane acreage and favorable weather conditions point to a bumper harvest for India in the 2024-25 season. This optimistic outlook is expected to benefit both farmers and the sugar industry, which is advocating for a more liberal export policy to capitalize on the higher production.