Maharajganj: Like their counterparts in western Uttar Pradesh, farmers in Maharajganj district are now achieving higher yields in sugarcane cultivation. Currently, there are about a dozen farmers in Maharajganj focusing on advanced sugarcane farming. However, inspired by these progressive farmers, many others are now striving to increase their production. The sugarcane department is hopeful that the number of farmers adopting improved cultivation techniques will rise this year, reported Live Hindustan.
Maharajganj was once home to four sugar mills. Although two government-owned sugar mills have closed down, the interest of farmers in sugarcane farming has not entirely waned. Despite delayed payments from the mills, farmers are working tirelessly to achieve better income from their crops. In the Siswan area, around a dozen farmers have shown such dedication to sugarcane cultivation that they are now following the practices of farmers from western Uttar Pradesh. These progressive farmers are incorporating advice from agricultural scientists and experimenting with new farming methods to enhance their production.
On average, Maharajganj farmers produce about 695 quintals of sugarcane per hectare. However, last year, the dozen progressive farmers from the Siswan area made several timely changes to their farming methods, boosting production to 1,400 quintals per hectare. Among these farmers, Sudhir Kumar has even begun producing sugarcane seeds, while others like Dharmendra Kumar and Rajkumar Yadav are also achieving better yields.
However, challenges remain. Farmers in the Siswan area frequently face problems with red rot disease, a major issue that damages crops every year. When their crops are destroyed by this disease, farmers are left with no compensation or support, leading to frustration and losses.
District Cane Officer Omprakash Singh Yadav stated, “A dozen progressive farmers in Maharajganj are achieving outstanding results in sugarcane farming, with their production now double the average. We will be conducting crop cutting this year as well, and we are hopeful for good outcomes in the district’s sugarcane cultivation.”.
