TN sugarcane production to dwindle by 20 to 25pc

Chennai:

Sugarcane production in Tamil Nadu is likely to decline by 20 to 25 per cent next year and sugar mill owners are preparing strategies to tide over the lean period.

On one hand the prices of sugarcane is rising while on the other hand, the prices of sugar is fixed. This is bleeding the sugar mills, the sugar mill owners said during the 43^rd Annual Convention of The South India Sugarcane and Sugar Technologists’ Association

Delivering the inaugural address at the event, A Vellayan, executive chairman of Murugappa group, said that the mills are still banking on only one variety of sugarcane and recommended varieties of sugarcane farming.

He said that per hectare cultivation in India is quite low when compared to other sugarcane producing nations like Brazil and Australia. He said that the need is to improve soil health while citing the example of China, which uses nearly 50 per cent organic fertilizers.

He also highlighted various challenges the farmers are facing including decreasing water table and shortage of labour. He suggested drip irrigation besides mechanized farming to cut short the dependence on farm labourers.

Vellayan also said the need of the hour for sugarmill owners is to diversify from traditional production and generate more revenue streams. He said the aspiration of India changed, lifestyle changed but sugar mills are not coming up with any new products.

Vice chairman and managing director of Sakthi Sugars M Manickam said that the cane prices can’t be controlled as the cost of cultivation is going up. He also said that suagr mills are directly linked to farmers and the government has to protect the farmers by giving them commensurate prices for their produce.

Ram V Tyagarajan, chairman and managing director of Arooran Sugars, said that the sugar industry is struggling globally. He said the next year is going to be a major challenge for sugar industry in Tamil Nadu as the sugarcane production is likely to fall by 20 to 25 per cent.  He predicted that the growth would be normal only in the year 2014-15.

Interestingly, his comments come in the wake of data compiled by the Union agriculture ministry showed that the sowing area under sugarcane fell to 4.07 million hectare as on May compared to 4.57 million hectare area in the corresponding period last year. Lesser sowing is likely to affect India’s cane productivity followed by the proportionate decline in the country’s sugar output.

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Rajshree Sugars owner felicitated

Chennai:

Chairman and managing director of Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals Rajshree Pathy was honoured by South Indian Sugarcane and Sugar Technologists’ Association for getting the Padma Shree Award.

Speaking on the occasion, she said the award recognizes entreprenuership in small cities like Coimbatore and hoped it this will also stand as an inspiration for women in all walks of life.