Kaithal, Haryana: Sugarcane harvesting machines are proving beneficial for both farmers and sugar mills, said Dharmbir Dagar, Chairman of Haryana State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. He made these remarks during a farmers’ seminar held at the cooperative sugar mill on Friday.
Addressing the event as the chief guest, Dagar highlighted the Haryana government’s efforts under Chief Minister Nayab Saini to support farmers. He pointed out that Haryana offers one of the highest price for sugarcane in the country but faces a labour shortage, impacting sugarcane cultivation area.
Dagar emphasized that mechanization can address the problems of labour shortages and high costs. As part of this initiative, a demonstration of sugarcane harvesting using machines was conducted for farmers. He assured that such machines would be made available in other mills across the state. Farmers appreciated the demonstration, and Dagar announced plans to implement a pilot project next season, identifying farmers for scientific planting methods and providing them with harvesting machines. He expressed confidence that resolving labour issues would increase sugarcane cultivation, reported Amar Ujala.
He described sugarcane as a cash crop and noted that the crushing season at Kaithal Sugar Mill began on December 6, with payments made by December 15. He urged farmers to adopt sugarcane farming to improve their financial stability.
Challenges and solutions related to the mechanization of the crop were discussed in seminars. Agricultural experts like Dr Roshan Lal Yadav of Haryana Cooperative Sugar Mills Federation, Panchkula, told the farmer to plant the approved variety of sugarcane grown by agricultural universities. The diversity of sugarcane was further explained by Dr Sudhir Sharma, whereas diseases and pests of this crop were elaborated upon by Dr O.P. Chaudhary, and the treatment to deal with these diseases was provided by Dr Harvinder Singh.
Modern machinery, crop protection chemicals, and other products used in sugarcane farming were also showcased through an exhibition. Scientists from various centres updated farmers about modern techniques related to sugarcane farming and solutions to diseases.
