Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh: According to a recent survey by the Sugarcane Department and sugar mills in Muzaffarnagar district, sugarcane production is expected to decline by 50 lakh quintals this year despite an increase in the area under cultivation by 5,000 hectares, reported Amar Ujala.
This decline is attributed to the adverse effects of climate change on the crop. In the previous crushing season (2022-23), 10 crore 35 lakh 48 thousand quintals of sugarcane were crushed in the district’s eight sugar mills. However, this year, the cane supply to the mills is estimated to be less.
Although the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased to 1 lakh 76 thousand hectares, the production is likely to be 50 lakh quintals lower. Sugar production, which was 105 lakh 71 thousand quintals last year, is expected to reach only 100 lakh quintals this year.
So far, 65.69 lakh quintals of sugar have been produced by crushing of 629 lakh quintals of sugarcane. The crushing season is also expected to end early this year.
District Sugarcane Officer Sanjay Sisodia states that sugarcane production is expected to be lower this year compared to the previous season. An estimated reduction of 50 lakh quintals is anticipated. Preliminary surveys by sugar mills and the Sugarcane Department indicate this trend. Dr. JP Singh, in charge of the Sugarcane Research Centre, notes that each crop is weather-dependent, and the direct impact of early or delayed monsoons affects crops.
