Introduction and Significance

Sugarcane is key industrial cash crop in India, serving as the primary raw material for the production of sugar, jaggery (Gur), and ethanol. This long-duration, water-intensive crop is cultivated extensively across the subtropical and tropical regions of the country. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka, which together form the "sugar bowl" of India. Its economic importance is immense, sustaining a massive agro-based industry that provides direct employment to millions in farming and factory operations. The by-products of the sugar industry, such as bagasse for power cogeneration and molasses for distilleries, amplify its economic value. Although sugarcane is a key provider of dietary energy through sucrose, its nutritional value beyond that is limited.

The cultivation of sugarcane is a capital and labor-intensive process beset by chronic issues. A primary problem is the crop's long duration, which locks up the farmer's land and capital for over a year. Water availability is another critical constraint, especially in peninsular India, where cultivation is heavily dependent on rainfall and reservoir levels. Pests like the early shoot borer and top borer, and diseases such as Red Rot, can drastically reduce yield and quality. However, the most persistent challenge is economic. Farmers consistently face inordinate delays in payment from sugar mills, often leading to financial distress and debt. Disagreements over the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) and the efficiency of mills in crushing the harvested cane are perennial points of conflict, leaving farmers in a state of economic uncertainty.