Mandya: Mandya, a major sugarcane-growing area in Karnataka, is struggling with unchanging sugarcane production compared to North Karnataka, where yields are increasing. This issue has prompted experts to submit a report to the state’s sugar commissioner, detailing the reasons for the difference and proposing ways to improve the situation, reports The Times of India.
The report highlights several key problems contributing to Mandya’s lower yields: small, divided land plots, incorrect spacing between plants, excessive water use, an unbalanced use of fertilisers, and generally smaller farms. Experts say that the fragmented land in Mandya makes it hard to use efficient farming methods common in North Karnataka, where farms are larger and connected.
“The way sugarcane is planted in Mandya isn’t allowing the plants to grow as well as they should,” the report stated, pointing to the importance of proper spacing. “Farmers are also using too much water, which can damage the soil and the crops.” In contrast, North Karnataka farmers are using more water-efficient methods.
The report also found that farmers in Mandya are using too much of one type of fertilizer and not enough of others, leading to an imbalance that hinders sugarcane growth. In North Karnataka, fertilizer use is more balanced. “The average sugarcane farm in Mandya is very small, about the size of 10 quintals, while in North Karnataka, farms are typically 8 to 10 acres,” the report explained. “Larger farms allow for better farming practices and higher yields.”
To address these issues, the agriculture department has taken action. “We recently sent 50 farmers from Mandya to Belgavi to learn about the farming techniques used in North Karnataka,” officials said. “They were taught about proper plant spacing, water management, and balanced fertilizer use.”
Ashok, the joint director of the agriculture department, told reporters, “Sugarcane farming in Mandya has stayed the same for many years. We’ve been farming on the same land for generations, unlike in North Karnataka, where sugarcane farming is newer. The farming methods in Mandya need to change significantly.”
He added, “Farmers in North Karnataka have bigger farms, better plant spacing, and use resources more efficiently. Many farmers in Mandya are not willing to invest more, which is causing problems. However, we are working hard to educate them and improve their practices. Even with these challenges, Mandya is still one of the top sugarcane producers in the state.”
Despite the challenges, Mandya remains a crucial area for sugar production in Karnataka. “The number of farmers growing sugarcane has dropped by nearly 6,000 from last year,” officials stated. “This shows the difficulty in keeping farmers interested in sugarcane, especially with yields staying the same.”
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