Cultivate autumn cane for prosperity and diversification

摘要

Sugarcane is being promoted as one of the promising alternative to paddy. There are plans to increase the area under this crop from the present 80 thousand hectares (2011-12) to at least 1.5 lakh hectares. Sugarcane is such a crop that in addition tohigher/competitive net returns, offers several other options or advantages to farmers. Firstly, it can be planted two times i.e. spring and autumn in a year. Recently PAU has given a new recommendation of planting of sugarcane in standing wheat crop thuseliminating any delay when sugarcane was planted after harvesting of wheat. Secondly, several intercrops can be cultivated successfully in autumn cane to enhance net profits. Thirdly, being an industrial crop, very attractive and remunerative cane ratesRs.290,280, 275 per quintal for early, mid and late maturing varieties have been fixed and lifting /marketing is also ensured. Keeping all these factors in view, farmers are advised to chalk out their plans carefully for planting autumn cane by following recommended technology as highlighted below.