VIJAYAWADA: Besides problems on the price front, sugarcane farmers are set to face the bleak prospect of reduced productivity this year. However, the overall sugarcane production is expected to touch 1 crore tonnes in the State in view of increased area of cultivation. The 34 sugar factories will begin crushing operations in two weeks across the State.

The average basic sugar recovery percentage is stated to be 10 per cent. Going by this, the sugar yield in all the factories in the State will come to around 10 lakh tonnes. The overall sugar production in the entire country this year is estimated to be 180 tonnes, the same as last year.

Crop affected

The crop has been affected due to floods in many areas and the damage is heavy in areas falling under the Challapalli Sugar Factory located in the district. They are expecting a 50 per cent fall in the production, giving a blow to the farmers attached to this factory.

However, the situation in other areas is a little better. The area under Delta Sugars, Hanuman Junction, has also faced the prospects of reduced productivity. However, the factory is expected to get the supply of 2.3 lakh tonnes.

But the case with the Challapalli Sugar Factory is different, as their agreement with the farmers may not be fulfilled under the prevailing circumstances. They have reached an agreement for producing 12 lakh tonnes, but the production is expected to touch just six to seven lakh tonnes in view of crop damage.

Fall in Production

Farmers have represented their problems to the Agriculture Department, saying that there will be 10 to 15 per cent less yield. The productivity may come down to 70 to 90 metric tonnes per hectare this year when compared to 80 to 100 tonnes per hectare last year.

Joint Director of Agriculture S. Jagadeeswara Reddy says that the area under sugarcane cultivation has gone up by 6,000 acres in the district this year.

The crop is grown in 21,000 acres as against 15,000 acres last year.

`Heavy loss expected'

Mr. Reddy says that the sugarcane has faced the problem of "lodging" (bending of plants due to heavy rains and floodwaters). Though the area of cultivation has increased, the farmers will end up losing heavily on account of lesser yields.

Organising secretary of Andhra Pradesh State Sugarcane Growers' Association N.S. Venkateswara Sarma, says that sugarcane is grown in nearly 3 lakh acres across the State. Over a lakh farmers are engaged in sugarcane cultivation and they are attached to different factories in the State.

Though the sugar production in the country is expected to be below the requirement, the farmers are not likely to get good price in view of the Government's policies.

The sugar production will reach 180 lakh tonnes and there is a shortage in requirement for 20 lakh tonnes.

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