At a recent industry event, the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) reaffirmed that varietal development and innovation-led productivity enhancement remain central to the future of India’s sugar and bioenergy ecosystem.
With rising climate variability, growing ethanol demand, and sustainability imperatives, ISMA outlined a multi-pronged strategy to transform sugarcane cultivation across tropical and sub-tropical regions.
The President of the Association, Niraj Shirgaokar, said that “The Association’s core focus is in increasing sugarcane productivity, which caters to Climate-Resilient, High-Yield Varietal Development, Improved cane quality and Regional adaptability. ISMA’s ongoing programme on Identification of Location-Specific Climate-Resilient Varieties with High Yield has completed two years, delivering encouraging outcomes.”
Shirgaokar said that the objective is to develop high-yielding, high-sugar recovery varieties with active participation from sugar mills nationwide, ensuring region-specific suitability.
The efforts are showing promising results. Sugarcane varieties Co 20016 and Co 21012 have shown strong potential and are under further evaluation in the Sub-tropical region. And in the Tropical region, first trial results are expected by mid-2026.
These efforts aim to enhance productivity per hectare while ensuring cane quality supports India’s expanding ethanol and bioenergy ambitions.
AI-Driven Precision Farming
Recognising that productivity is no longer driven by genetics alone, ISMA has rolled out an AI-based precision farming programme to support farmers with technology-enabled solutions.
The key interventions are as follows:
- AI-based crop monitoring
- Satellite imagery and digital field surveillance
- Digital advisories on pest and disease outbreaks
- Drone-enabled fertilizer application
Predictive Analytics Optimise:
- Soil health
- Water use
- Fertilizer planning
- Yield forecasting
The President said that the results are visible via improved crop performance and a more sustainable sugarcane supply chain, reducing risks while increasing efficiency.
Water Use: Scientific Backing
ISMA’s networking project with ICAR–Indian Sugarcane Research Institute (ICAR–ISRI), Lucknow, titled “Water Use Efficiency and Economising Water Use in Sugarcane Cultivation”, has completed two years across six national locations covering two plant crops and one ratoon cycle.
The President said that the findings show strong potential for water savings and productivity enhancement. “Contrary to common perception, sugarcane uses less annual irrigation water than major crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and soybean,” Shirgaokar said.
Water Consumption Comparison:
Per kg yield:
- Sugarcane: 130–160 litres/kg cane
- Maize: 1,645 litres/kg grain
Per litre of ethanol:
- Sugarcane: 1,900–2,300 litres
- Maize: 4,000–4,500 litres
The Association said that its findings reinforce sugarcane’s strategic role in India’s biofuel economy from both productivity and water sustainability perspectives.
ISMA has proposed the creation of a Centre of Excellence (CoE), an industry-driven, farmer-focused, globally informed innovation hub.
Focus Areas:
- High-yielding, high-recovery, climate-smart varieties
- Genomics and phenomics
- AI/ML-enabled breeding
- Robotic breeding technologies
Along with it, the Association has advocated the formation of a National Sugarcane Development Board (NSDB), modelled on boards such as the Tea Board of India, Coffee Board of India, and Coconut Development Board.
Objectives:
- Enhance productivity and sugar recovery
- Promote modern technologies
- Facilitate technology transfer
- Support farmers’ welfare
Charting the next BioFuel course, the President said that the Association has BHARATBIO, a policy framework aimed at integrating the carbon impact of biofuels into a transparent accounting system.
The key features are as follows:
- Production of bioethanol and compressed biogas in sugar biorefineries
- Benchmarking and scoring of production processes based on GHG reductions
- Validation and issuance of carbon credits to biofuel producers
- Offset mechanisms via OMCs, CCTS, and international carbon markets (Article 6.2/6.4)
- Accounting and reporting support for end-users under India’s NDC commitments
