Sugarcane is being aggressively promoted as one of the most promising alternative to paddy. There are plans to increase the area under this crop from the present 96 thousand hectares (2013-14) to at least 1.5 lakh hectares in Punjab. Sugarcane is sucha crop that in addition to higher/competitive net returns, it offers several other benefits to farmers. Firstly, it can be planted two times i.e. spring and autumn in a year. Secondly, several intercrops can be cultivated successfully in spring and autumn crops to enhance net profits. Thirdly, being an industrial crop, very attractive and remunerative cane rates Rs.290,280,275 per quintal respectively for early, mid and late maturing varieties have been fixed and lifting /marketing is alsot ensured. Further, in comparison to paddy-wheat double cropping cycle which involves two sowings and two harvestings in a year and keep farmers continuously on toes throughout the year, sugarcane offers some respite from this over busy schedule. Keeping all these factors in view, farmers are advised to chalk out their plans carefully for planting spring cane by following recommended technology.
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