Kolhapur, the powerhouse of Maharashtra’s sugar economy, is set to take a quantum leap in sugarcane productivity under the visionary leadership of Hon. Guardian Minister Shri Prakash Abitkar. His initiative, “Sustainable sugarcane campaign: 125 Tons per Hectare”, is not merely a target but a transformative mission to ensure long-term sustainability, profitability, and competitiveness of farmers and sugar mills alike.
Presently, Kolhapur has around 2 lakh hectares under sugarcane cultivation, with average yields of only 80–90 tons per hectare. However, a few progressive farmers have demonstrated the possibility of achieving 125 tons/ha and above, proving the potential exists — if backed by policy, planning, and collective action.
1. The Problem: High Input – Low Return :
Land Holding Pattern: Over 70% farmers hold less than 1 hectare, making individual mechanised farming economically unviable.
Low Drip Coverage: Less than 5% area under drip irrigation. Over-irrigation leads to waterlogging, salinity, and falling yields.
Rising Costs: High cost of water, electricity, and labour has pushed many farmers into a debt trap.
Low Yield, High Crushing Capacity Mismatch: Kolhapur’s 23 sugar factories have 1.90 lakh tons/day crushing capacity, requiring 210 lakh tons of cane for 150 crushing days — a gap difficult to bridge with current productivity levels.
2. The Solution: Policy + Planning + Participation :
Consolidated Farming at Village Level
Voluntary Land Pooling: Farmers can come together to form farming clusters.
Land Ownership Intact: Title remains unchanged. Profits and costs shared proportionately based on land size.
Benefits: Makes modern mechanised farming and shared irrigation infrastructure feasible.
Successful Example – Karbharwadi Village, Taluka Karveer
A shining example of consolidated farming and efficient irrigation management can be seen in Karbharwadi village in Karveer Taluka, Kolhapur. Here, 110 acres of land have been voluntarily consolidated, and a single drip irrigation scheme has been implemented to cover the entire area. Farmers operate through a well-functioning Irrigation Society which manages water supply, costs, and maintenance transparently. The results include higher productivity, lower irrigation costs, and efficient use of water. This model should be studied and replicated across the district. Policymakers, farmers, and sugar mills are encouraged to visit Karbharwadi and observe the system in action.
3. Technology-Driven Agronomy: Smart, Scientific Farming :
A. Scientific Cultivation Practices –
Soil Testing: Mandatory before planting to determine fertiliser application.
5ft Row Spacing: Suitable for mechanised farming and inter-row operations.
Varietal Planning: Deploy high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane varieties.
B. AI and Digital Tools in Farming –
AI-Based Crop Monitoring: Real-time detection of pest/disease outbreaks and water stress.
Predictive Analytics: Accurate forecasts for yield, harvest timing, and input needs.
Input Optimization: Saves on fertilisers and pesticides, increases cost-effectiveness.
4. Intercropping & Crop Rotation for Soil and Income Health :
Promote short-duration intercrops such as legumes, pulses, and vegetables.
Supports crop diversification, ensures additional income, and improves soil health.
5. Institutional Synergy: A Collaborative Effort (Participating Stakeholders):
Government: Formulate and support policies, provide subsidies and training.
Agriculture Department: Offer technical support, labs, demonstrations, field officers.
Sugar Factories: Act as implementation partners through FPOs, extension teams, machinery.
Banks & NCDC: Provide soft loans, working capital support, and joint liability models.
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): Serve as collective management and implementation units.
6. Economic Gains for Farmers and Mills :
By achieving 125 tons/ha, net farmer income can increase by 40–50%.
Sugar factories will achieve crushing stability for 150 days, ensuring viability and continuous feedstock for ethanol, CBG, and co-generation projects.
Vision to Action
The Sustainable Sugarcane 125+ Campaign is more than just a productivity target — it’s a pathway to agricultural renewal and economic sustainability for Kolhapur. With proven models like Karbharwadi, there is no doubt this vision can be achieved across the district.Hon. Prakash Abitkar’s foresight and leadership, supported by unified efforts of farmers, government departments, sugar factories, and financial institutions, can turn this campaign into a model for Maharashtra and the entire country. Let Kolhapur become India’s first district to demonstrate scientific, sustainable, and scalable sugarcane cultivation — and write a new chapter in rural prosperity.
P.G. Medhe is the former Managing Director of Shri Chhatrapati Rajaram Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd and sugar industry analyst. He can be contacted at +91 9822329898.
