Mandya: Mandya, a key sugarcane-growing region in Karnataka, has been facing persistent challenges with stagnant sugarcane yields compared to North Karnataka, which is on the rise. This issue caught the attention of experts, who recently submitted a detailed report to the sugar commissioner outlining the reasons for this disparity and offering potential solutions.
Experts attributed the lower yield in Mandya to several critical factors: land fragmentation, inadequate plant spacing, excessive water usage, nutrient imbalance, and smaller landholdings. Sugarcane cultivation in Mandya often suffers from land fragmentation, which negatively impacts productivity. The smaller, fragmented plots make it difficult to implement large-scale efficient practices compared to the larger, contiguous land holdings seen in North Karnataka.
Proper root-to-root spacing is essential for sugarcane growth. In Mandya, the spacing between plants is not maintained adequately, which restricts the healthy growth of the crop, resulting in lower yields. Farmers in Mandya tend to use more water than necessary, which can lead to soil degradation and diminished crop health over time. In contrast, North Karnataka has developed more water-efficient irrigation techniques, contributing to better yields.
The use of fertilisers in Mandya is skewed, with higher usage of urea and insufficient application of potassium and phosphate, which are essential for sugarcane growth. North Karnataka, on the other hand, practices a more balanced fertilisation approach. The average landholding for sugarcane cultivation in Mandya is about 10 quintals, compared to 8 to 10 acres in North Karnataka. Larger holdings in North Karnataka provide more space and resources for optimal cultivation practices, contributing to higher yields.
To address these issues, the agriculture department has been proactive. A few weeks ago, 50 farmers from Mandya were sent to Belgavi to observe the sugarcane cultivation practices in North Karnataka. The farmers were informed about better practices, including proper spacing, water management, and balanced fertiliser use, officials stated.
Speaking to TOI, Ashok, joint director, agriculture department, said, "Sugarcane cultivation in Mandya has been stagnant for several decades. We are cultivating on the same soil for generations, which is not the case in North Karnataka, where sugarcane cultivation started only a few decades ago. The farming practices adopted in Mandya also need significant changes".
"In North Karnataka, farmers have larger landholdings, better spacing, and more efficient use of resources. Many farmers in Mandya are not ready to invest more, resulting in a negative trend. However, we are making every effort to raise awareness and improve practices. While the challenges are many, Mandya remains among the top producers of sugarcane in the state," the official stated.
Despite these challenges, Mandya continues to be a major player in sugar production in Karnataka.
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DATA BOX
Recent statistics highlight a downward trend in the number of farmers involved in sugarcane cultivation in Mandya:
2019-20: 54,938 farmers – Average yield: 113 tonnes per hectare
2020-21: 57,319 farmers – Average yield: 111 tonnes per hectare
2021-22: 62,286 farmers – Average yield: 118 tonnes per hectare
2022-23: 60,344 farmers – Average yield: 112 tonnes per hectare
2023-24: 54,442 farmers – Average yield: 113 tonnes per hectare
Source - agriculture department
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Blurb
The number of farmers involved in sugarcane cultivation has decreased, dropping by nearly 6,000 from the previous year. This decline reflects the challenges in maintaining interest in the industry, especially as yields have remained relatively stagnant.
