SUGARCANE ECONOMICS

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the most important commercial crops of the World. About 70% of the sugar produced globally comes from a species of sugarcane called Saccharum officinarum and hybrids of this species. In the changing global scenario, sugarcane crop has assumed special importance in the world trade. Amongst 115 countries in sugarcane cultivation, India ranks first in terms of area (4.77 million hectares), production (355 million tones), and its productivity (74 tonnes per hectare) (2017-18). Among different states of the country, Uttar Pradesh occupies first place in area (22.34 lakhs hectare) and production (1623 lakh tonne) of sugarcane (2017-18), followed by Maharastra, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Sugar and jaggery made from sugarcane used for making sweets and daily consumption purposes, and sugar industry provide employment to rural people also.