Parliament Question: Decline in Sugarcane Production

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 400 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21ST JULY, 2026 DECLINE IN SUGARCANE PRODUCTION 400. SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH: SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE: SMT. SUPRIYA SULE: Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare/ कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the decline in sugarcane production in Maharashtra due to crop diseases such as red rot, erratic weather conditions including El Niño-induced drought and unseasonal rains, and the increasing shift of farmers towards alternative crops because of rising labour and cultivation costs; (b) whether the Government has assessed impact on sugar recovery, farmer incomes, and the functioning of cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra, district- wise; (c) whether any special financial assistance, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties, climate-resilient farming practices, and irrigation support are proposed for sugarcane-growing regions in the State; and (d) the steps being taken to strengthen research, disease surveillance and extension services to safeguard Maharashtra’s sugar economy and protect the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)यमं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): The production of Sugarcane has increased from 1,099.70 lakh tonnes during 2024-25 to 1,316.49 lakh tonnes during 2025-26 (3rd Advance Estimates) in the State of Maharashtra (Annexure I). Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), through its Regional and Central Integrated Pest management Centers at Nagpur and Nashik regularly conducts pest surveillance and disseminates Integrated Pest Management (IPM) knowledge through training programmes like Farmers Field Schools, Season Long Training Programme and Orientation Programme.Surveys were conducted in various districts of Maharashtra and infestation of red rot disease in sugarcane above Economic Threshold Level (ETL) was observed in 34 Ha only out of 4295 Ha surveyed during 2024-2025. Similarly, infestation above ETL was observed in 5 Ha only out 1450 Ha surveyed in 2025-2026. Accordingly, advisories were issued to farmers. Details of trainings conducted and advisories issues are at Annexure II. (b): As per inputs received from Department of Food and Public Distribution, the State Government systematically assesses estimation of area and productivity of sugarcane. Sugar recovery depends closely on the specific crop variety, soil conditions, weather parameters, and several other regional agro-climatic factors. As per recent concluded crushing season, the average sugar recovery rate was recorded at 11.26% across Maharashtra. There were a total of 210 operational sugar mills (of both cooperative and private crushing entities) during current sugar season across the state. In terms of impact on farmer incomes, the implementation of regulatory payout mechanisms remains highly effective, with approximately 99.6% of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payments successfully disbursed to growers during current sugar season. To build long-term economic resilience, the State Government continuously encourages mills to diversify their revenue streams, including the setting up and technical upgradation of co-generation power plants and ethanol distillation units under the National Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), thereby enabling mills to optimize cash flows and become less dependent on sugar market price volatility alone. Further, the Central Government has increased the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for the ensuing Sugar Season 2026–27 to Rs. 365 per quintal, up from Rs. 355 per quintal in the current Sugar Season 2025–26, based on a sugar recovery rate of 10.25% (c) & (d): During 2014-25, a total of 341 Drought tolerant Varieties have been released by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), out of which 36 are of Sugarcane. As informed by the State Government, the State of Maharashtra has been implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme National Food and Nutrition Security Mission (NFNSM) – Commercial crop: Sugarcane Development Programme since 2014-15. Under NFNSM, emphasis has been given on transfer of technology through demonstrations and training in order to extend benefits to the farmers.Under the programme, the following components are being implemented: (a) demonstration on inter-cropping and single bud chip technology with sugarcane, (b) assistance for breeder seed production, (c) tissue culture plantlets, (d) State level training for 2 days, (e) Distribution of plant protection and bio agents; (f) Local initiatives Raton and Trash Management distribution and Supercane nursery. Rs. 415.02 lakhs has been allocated to Maharashtra for implementation of the activities of NFSNM-Sugarcane during 2026-27. Further, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) through the ongoing All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sugarcane and AICRP on Biological Control, undertakes breeding of sugarcane varieties with resistance to diseases and pests, surveillance of disease of sugarcane and training programmes for farmers on sugarcane production.Annexure-I Statement of Area, Production and Yield of Sugarcane in Maharashtra Area in Lakh Ha, Production in Lakh Tonnes & Yield in Kg/Ha Area Production Yield 2024-25 2025-26 2024- 25 2025-26 2024-25 2025-26 11.67 13.72 1,099.70 1,316.49 94,230 95,963 #Data for 2025-26 is as per 3rd Advance EstimatesAnnexure II 1. Advisories issued for management of Red rot disease during the year 2024- 25 and 2025-26 by Regional and Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMC) I. 6 Advisories issued in 2024-25 in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts for management of red rot disease. II. 1 Advisory issued to Nashik district for management of red rot disease in 2026-27. 2. Activities conducted for creating awareness for Pests and diseases in Sugarcane by Regional and Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMC) i. Regular monitoring of pests & diseases of sugarcane conducted in major sugarcane growing districts. Ii. 12.98 Million Trichogramma chilonis release for the management of Sugarcane internode borer as a preventive measure during 2024-25. Iii. 13.02 Million Trichogramma chilonis release (650 Tricho cards) for the management of Sugarcane internode borer as a preventive measure during 2025-26. iv. 2.73 Million Trichogramma chilonis release for the management of Sugarcane internode borer as a preventive measure during 2026-27. v. CIPMC, Nashik conducted FFS in sugarcane crop during 2023-24 in Ahilyanagar District and Nashik District, respectively. vi. 2 days Orientation Training program conducted in 2024-25 and 2025-26 in Ahilyanagar and Nashik districts for sensitization of farmers and FPOs about identification and management of insect pests and diseases. vii. During Season Long Training Program (15 December, 2025 to 13 January, 2026) CIPMC, Nashik sensitized the State Department officials about identification and management of major insect pest /diseases of sugarcane. viii. CIPMC, Nashik provided training about the use of NPSS app in the field for quick reporting of insect pest and diseases in all the fifteen districts during 2024-25. *****