Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh: Farmers are gradually turning away from sugarcane farming and exploring other crops in district, with the latest survey for the 2025–26 crushing season showing a drop in sugarcane acreage compared to 2024–25, reported Amar Ujala.
Currently, around 40,000 farmers are growing sugarcane on around 20,000 hectares in the district. Last year, 42,000 farmers cultivated sugarcane on approximately 21,000 hectares and supplied their harvest to the local sugar mill. Between 2010 and 2020, the district had nearly 47,000 sugarcane farmers covering about 26,000 hectares. However, sugarcane acreage has been steadily declining every year since.
As per the news report, local farmers said the high costs of land preparation, harvesting, and transport to the sugar mill leave them with barely any profit. This has led to a growing sense of disillusionment with sugarcane farming.
Farmer said that sugarcane varieties such as 238 and 239 used to yield between 800 to 1,000 quintals per hectare. However, the red rot disease has severely affected the crop.
Newer early-maturing varieties like 0118, 94284, 14201, and 15023 are currently available, but these typically yield only 500 to 700 quintals per hectare. This lower output is also contributing to farmers’ lack of interest in continuing with sugarcane cultivation.
District Cane Officer S.L. Yadav said efforts are being made to encourage farmers by visiting villages and spreading awareness about sugarcane farming. “High-yield seed varieties will be made available, and discussions will be held with Mizhaura Sugar Mill to address farmers’ concerns,” he added.
