Sugarcane Scenario in India: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of India’s most important commercial crops, underpinning the sugar, jaggery, ethanol, and allied industries while sustaining over 50 million livelihoods. India ranks as the world’s second-largest sugarcane producer after Brazil, contributing nearly one-fifth of global output. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of sugarcane cultivation across states, highlighting trends in area, production, and yield from 2017–18 to 2023–24. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka together account for nearly 78% of the national area and production, though yield patterns reveal contrasts, with Tamil Nadu achieving the highest productivity. While the sector benefits from assured pricing policies and its pivotal role in ethanol blending programs, it faces major challenges, including water scarcity, climatic variability, overproduction, and delayed farmer payments. The findings underline the paradox of abundance and vulnerability, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable production systems. Adoption of technological innovations, climate-resilient practices, and policy frameworks that balance farmer welfare with resource conservation will be crucial for ensuring the resilience and long-term sustainability of India’s sugarcane economy.