Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday (September 30, 2025) announced that a separate team will soon be set up under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to focus on sugarcane research and formulate policies for the crop. The move, he said, aims to address the pressing challenges faced by farmers and the sugar industry.
Speaking at a national seminar on the sugarcane economy organised by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories, Rural Voice and ICAR, Chouhan said sugarcane variety 238, though rich in sugar content, has become vulnerable to red rot disease. He warned that relying heavily on a single crop variety brings new risks, stressing the need to promote alternatives and diversify farming practices.
“Mono-cropping has led to nutrient loss and limits nitrogen fixation. We must consider intercropping options carefully. At the same time, we need to improve production, reduce costs, and address the serious challenge of water use. Drip irrigation is a solution, but it adds financial pressure on farmers,” Chouhan said.
The minister also highlighted the need to expand value addition in sugarcane beyond ethanol and molasses to ensure higher returns for farmers. He underlined the potential of natural farming in cutting fertilizer dependency and called for greater mechanisation to tackle the shortage of agricultural labour. On delayed payments to farmers, Chouhan admitted the problem was genuine and said a balance must be found between the difficulties faced by mills and the hardships faced by cultivators.
ICAR Director General and DARE Secretary Dr M.L. Jat, in his address, identified four key priorities for sugarcane research, setting goals, addressing development challenges, finding industry solutions, and recommending policy steps. He noted that sugarcane remains highly water- and fertilizer-intensive, calling for wider adoption of micro-irrigation systems such as those in Maharashtra, and efficient use of fertilizers. He also urged diversification by integrating crops like pulses and oilseeds with sugarcane to boost farm incomes and sustainability.
ICAR Deputy Director General (Crop Science) Dr Devendra Kumar Yadav pointed out that while variety 238 was initially welcomed, it unintentionally encouraged monocropping. He explained that new varieties require at least three years of testing for disease resistance and yield performance before widespread adoption. He assured that the recommendations from the seminar would be carefully examined to address farmers’ concerns.
The seminar concluded with ICAR officials, including Dr Rajbir Singh, reaffirming that research must directly benefit both farmers and the sugar industry to strengthen the future of India’s sugarcane sector.
