Sugarcane Farming at a Crossroads: Less Water, More Productivity
Date: 05-06-2025Sugarcane is a cornerstone of Indian agriculture, supporting millions of farmers and fuelling the sugar industry. India cultivates sugarcane across an impressive 60 to 65 lakh hectares, with major states like Uttar Pradesh (24-26 lakh Ha), Maharashtra (12-14 lakh Ha), Karnataka (4-5 lakh Ha), Gujarat (1-2 lakh Ha), and Tamil Nadu (1.5-2 lakh Ha) leading the charge, alongside contributions from Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab. However, this water-sensitive crop faces significant challenges, including rising cultivation costs, declining yields, and inefficient irrigation practices. With only 10-12% of sugarcane farmland under drip irrigation, it’s time for a serious rethink of how we manage water and nutrients in this vital sector.
The Water Challenge in Sugarcane Farming
Sugarcane is notoriously thirsty. Traditional irrigation methods like ridges and furrows dominate Indian fields, delivering a staggering 3200 to 3600 mm of water annually, equivalent to 3.23 cr to 3.64 cr liters per hectare. This flood irrigation approach not only guzzles water but also harms the soil. Over time, it deposits 12 to 25 metric tons of salt per hectare, depending on water quality, degrading soil fertility and threatening the sustainability of farming for future generations.
Contrast this with drip irrigation, which uses just 1400 to 1600 mm of water, 1.42 to 1.62 cr liters per hectare. That’s more than a 50% reduction in water use! By delivering water directly to the root zone, drip irrigation minimizes waste and ensures the crop gets exactly what it needs. In a country where water scarcity is a growing concern, this efficiency is not just an option, it’s a necessity.
Beyond Water: The Fertilizer Advantage
Water isn’t the only resource being wasted. Traditional fertilizer application through broadcasting is equally inefficient. Studies show that only about 30% of chemical fertilizers reach the crop, with up to 70% lost to runoff, evaporation, or soil fixation. This inefficiency drives up costs for farmers and pollutes the environment.
Drip irrigation offers a game-changing solution: fertigation. By integrating fertilizers into the drip system, nutrients are delivered straight to the roots, boosting availability to over 90%. This precision not only cuts fertilizer costs but also enhances yields, addressing the troubling trend of declining productivity per acre despite rising investments.
The Bigger Picture: Soil Health and Sustainability
Flood irrigation’s toll on soil health cannot be ignored. Excessive waterlogging and salt accumulation degrade fertile land, making it harder for farmers to maintain productivity over time. Drip irrigation, by contrast, preserves soil structure and fertility, ensuring that the land remains viable for future generations. This isn’t just about saving water, it’s about safeguarding the foundation of Indian agriculture.
Despite its clear benefits, drip irrigation covers only 10-12% of sugarcane fields. The barriers are multifaceted: high initial costs, lack of awareness, and inadequate support systems. Transitioning to drip irrigation requires investment in infrastructure, training, and maintenance, challenges that individual farmers can’t tackle alone.
A Call for Teamwork
This is where teamwork comes in. Sugarcane factories, State Governments, Irrigation Industries, and Sugarcane growers must unite to drive this shift. Sugar factories, as key stakeholders in the supply chain, can incentivize drip adoption through subsidies or technical assistance. State governments should craft policies that make drip irrigation accessible, think low-interest loans, grants, or water management programs tailored to sugarcane regions. Irrigation industries need to innovate affordable, farmer-friendly solutions, while farmers must embrace the change with open minds and a long-term vision.
Conclusion: A Sustainable Future Awaits
Sugarcane is more than just a crop; it’s a lifeline for millions of Indian farmers. Yet, its future hinges on smarter water management. Drip irrigation offers a proven solution, saving over 50% of water, boosting fertilizer efficiency, and protecting soil health. The numbers speak for themselves: it’s time to move away from wasteful traditions and embrace precision farming.
The responsibility lies with all of us, farmers, factories, policymakers, and industries, to act decisively. By prioritizing drip irrigation, we can secure not only water and soil for future generations but also the livelihoods of those who feed the nation. Let’s make sugarcane farming a model of sustainability, starting today.
Vijaykumar M. Sarur
M.Sc. Agro-chemicals
Chief-Agronomist
Kothari Agritech Pvt Ltd