Executive Summary:
This document provides the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1568 regarding sugarcane production and cultivation in India, to be answered on July 29, 2025. It details sugarcane production by state for 2024-25, government subsidies for sugarcane farmers, and support for mechanization to address labor shortages. The document outlines the financial assistance provided for sugarcane cultivation and mechanization through various schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Sugarcane Production (2024-25):**
* State-wise sugarcane production figures are provided, with Uttar Pradesh leading at 2129.20 Lakh Tonnes followed by Maharashtra at 1099.90 Lakh Tonnes. All India production is 4501.16 Lakh Tonnes.
* **Government Subsidies for Sugarcane Farmers:**
* Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is fixed for every sugar season, ensuring a minimum price for sugarcane purchased from farmers.
* Sugarcane development programs are implemented under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) in 13 major sugarcane-growing states.
* NFSNM provides technology transfer through demonstrations and training to benefit farmers.
* **Mechanization and Labor Shortages:**
* The Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) promotes the use of machinery to reduce manual labor dependency.
* SMAM is implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and aims to reach small and marginal farmers, including women.
* **Subsidy for Cane Cutter Machines:**
* Financial assistance of 50% of the cost is provided for agricultural machinery, including sugarcane cutter/stripper/planter, to women farmers, SC, ST, Small, and Marginal farmers, and NE Region beneficiaries.
* Other beneficiaries receive 40% subsidy.
* Maximum permissible subsidy is Rs. 0.75 Lakhs for SC, ST, Small, Marginal farmers Women and NE States beneficiary and Rs. 0.60 Lakhs for other beneficiaries.
* **NFSNM - Sugarcane Components and Assistance:**
* Demonstrations on intercropping (Rs. 9000/Ha).
* Single Bud Chip Technology assistance (Rs. 8000 for ICAR/SAUs/KVKs).
* Assistance for Breeder Seed Production (Rs. 40000/Ha).
* Production/Supply of Tissue Culture Plantlets/Seedlings.
* National and State Level Training programs.
* Distribution of Plant Protection Chemicals and Bio-agents (50% of the cost, or Rs 500/ha whichever is less).
Impact Analysis:
* **Sugarcane Farmers:**
* Impact: Benefit from the fixed FRP, sugarcane development programs under NFSNM, and subsidies for agricultural machinery.
* Action Required: Participate in demonstrations and training programs, utilize available subsidies for machinery, and adopt new technologies to enhance production.
* **Sugar Mills:**
* Impact: Required to purchase sugarcane from farmers at or above the FRP.
* Action Required: Comply with the FRP regulations.
* **State Governments (through SDA and Cane Commissioners):**
* Impact: Responsible for implementing NFSNM and SMAM schemes at the state level.
* Action Required: Execute the sugarcane development programs, distribute subsidies, and conduct training and demonstrations.
* **ICAR/SAUs/KVKs/IISR/SBI/UPCSR/DOSD:**
* Impact: Involved in technology transfer, training, breeder seed production and research activities.
* Action Required: Conduct training programs, provide technical assistance, and facilitate the adoption of new technologies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare. It is the main governing body overseeing policies related to sugarcane production and subsidies.
National Food Security and Nutrition Mission: A centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture Farmers Welfare with the objective of enhancing the production and productivity of sugarcane. Formerly known as NFSM.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India with the highest sugarcane production as of the 3rd Advance Estimate of 2024-25.
Maharashtra: A state in India with significant sugarcane production as of the 3rd Advance Estimate of 2024-25.
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices: An advisory body that recommends the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to the government.
Fair and Remunerative Price: The minimum price that sugar mills must pay to sugarcane farmers, as determined by the Central Government based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization: A scheme implemented through State/UT governments, aimed at promoting farm mechanization, particularly for small and marginal farmers, and providing subsidies for agricultural machinery.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: An umbrella scheme under which the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is implemented. It is a centrally sponsored scheme focused on agricultural development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1568
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29th JULY, 2025
PRODUCTION AND CULTIVATION OF SUGARCANE
1568. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of production of sugar cane in the country, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government is providing any subsidy for the farmers those who are
cultivating sugarcane, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is aware of lack of labour force for harvesting the standing
crop to supply the sugar industry, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is providing subsidy towards purchase of cane cutter
machines, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) The State-wise, production of sugarcane in the country during 2024-25 (as per 3rd
Advance Estimate) is as under:
State Production in Lakh Tonnes
Uttar Pradesh 2129.20
Maharashtra 1099.90
Karnataka 498.60
Gujarat 143.08
Tamil Nadu 132.08
Bihar 118.12
Uttarakhand 80.24
Madhya Pradesh 74.10
Punjab 70.33
Haryana 58.43
Telangana 19.53
Andhra Pradesh 18.60
Chhattisgarh 18.58
Assam 12.63
Others 27.73
All India 4501.16
Source: DA&FW(b) To encourage the farmers for cultivation of sugarcane, Fair and Remunerative
Price (FRP) of sugarcane is fixed for every sugar season, based upon the
recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) in consultation
with all stake holders having regard to various factors. The FRP so fixed by the Central
Government is the bench mark remunerative price below which no sugar mill can purchase
cane from the cane growers.
Further, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing
sugarcane development programme under National Food Security and Nutrition Mission
(NFSNM) (erstwhile NFSM) in 13 major sugarcane growing states from 2014-15 to
enhance production and productivity of sugarcane wherein thrust has been given on
transfer of technology through demonstrations and training in order to extend benefits to
the farmers. The components & pattern of assistance under NFSNM- Sugarcane is
enclosed at Annexure.
(c) & (d) Mechanization involves the use of machinery and technology to carry out tasks
that were traditionally performed manually. Key components of the crop production
system—such as land preparation, sowing, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest
operations—are now executed using appropriate machines. This not only enhances
operational efficiency but also significantly reduces the demand for manual labour.
Towards this end, Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is being
implemented w.e.f 2014-15 through States/UTs Governments. SMAM is now being
implemented under the umbrella of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The scheme aims at 'reaching the unreached' by bringing to the
small and marginal farmers in the core including women farmers and giving the benefits of
farm mechanization, by Promoting 'Custom Hiring Centers', creating hubs for hi-tech & high
value farm equipments, distribution of various agricultural equipments, creating awareness
among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities.
The financial assistance as cost subsidy to the tune of 50% of the cost of the
various category of agricultural machinery and equipments for cultivation of crops, including
sugarcane cutter/stripper/planter, is being provided to the women farmers, SC, ST, Small
and marginal farmers and NE Region beneficiaries under SMAM Scheme which is 10%
more than the general category farmers.
Pattern of Assistance and Maximum Permissible Subsidy for sugarcane
cutter/stripper/planter is as under:
For SC, ST, Small & Marginal farmers, For other beneficiary
Women and NE States beneficiary
Maximum Permissible Pattern of Maximum Permissible Pattern of
subsidy per Assistance subsidy per Assistance
Machine/Equipment per Machine/Equipment
beneficiary (Rs. In per beneficiary (Rs. In
Lakhs) Lakhs)
0.75 50% 0.60 40%Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q No. 1568 Due for
reply on 29.07.2025.
Components & Pattern of Assistance under NFSNM-Sugarcane
S. Component Unit cost (Rs.) Implementing agency
No.
1 Demonstration on Intercropping Rs.9000/Ha SDA/ Cane Commissioner/
& Single Bud Chip Technology (Rs. 8000 for ICAR/SAUs/ KVKs
with Sugarcane inputs & Rs.
1000 for
contingency)
2 Assistance for Breeder Seed Rs. 40000/Ha SDA/ Cane Commissioner/
Production (Rs. 34000 for ICAR/Sugarcane Research Institute of
inputs & Rs.
Central or State Govt.
6000 for
Contingency)
3 Production/Supply of Rs. SDA/Cane
Tissue Culture 3.5/Seedling Commissioner/ICAR/Sugarcane
Research Institute of Central or State
Plantlets/Seedlings
Govt.
4 National Level Training (25 Rs. ICAR/IISR/SBI/UPCSR/DOSD
participants x 2 days) 50000/Training
5 State Level Training (20 Rs. SDA/Cane Commissioner
participants x 2 days) 40000/Training
6 Distribution of Plant Protection Rs 500/ha or SDA/ Cane Commissioner/ ICAR
Chemicals and Bio- agents 50% of the
cost
(whichever is
less)
7 Local Initiatives As per the State Specific need limited to 25% of Total
Allocation
8 Contingencies & Electronic Print Need Based DOSD, Lucknow
Media
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