Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative - A Profitable Enterprise for Sugarcane Farmers

Sugarcane is an important crop of India and it is a livelihood for 35 million farmers. Tamil Nadu ranks first in sugarcane productivity. Water is one of the major constraints affecting the productivity and profitability of sugarcane. Approximately 2,500 kg of water is needed to produce 1 kg of sugarcane. But, the water table is depleting every year. The problem is going to further deteriorate due to variability of rainfall influenced by climate change. So, unless sugarcane farmers are provided with options of high yields with much less water, it is very difficult to meet its growing demand for sugar. In this context, Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is a combination of cane planting innovations and water saving practices, has great potential for meeting the growing demands of sugar sector looking for increased revenues and profitability...read more