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More and more Indian farmers are switching
from traditional crops of vegetables,
pulses, and cereals to sugarcane
because of the quick profit they can
make from this cash crop.
Simultaneously, strong domestic demand
and booming export markets to
neighboring sugar-deficit countries
are factors encouraging this
conversion causing sugar production to
be 21-22 million tons by September
2007. Neighboring countries such as
Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, and West Asia require 5-6
million tons of imported sugar every
year.
An elated Indian Sugar Mills Association
Director S. L. Jain boasts “cane is
taking over in a big way and people
are uprooting vegetables and planting
canes in their backyards.”
He insists, “Cane is the one
of the most profitable options our
farmers have today.” |
