Introduction: The Sweet Stalk of Bihar’s Agrarian Economy
Sugarcane, known locally as Ganna or Oos, is a vital annual cash crop in Bihar. It is the primary raw material for the state’s sugar industry and a major source of income, rural employment, and bio-energy. Situated in the fertile Gangetic plains, Bihar has a long history of sugarcane cultivation, making it a key player in the eastern Indian sugar sector.
1. Importance and Ranking
Major Producer in East India: Bihar is one of the leading sugarcane-producing states in India, consistently ranking among the top ten nationally. It is a cornerstone of the agrarian economy in its western and northwestern districts.
Backbone of the Sugar Industry: The crop sustains numerous sugar mills, both in the cooperative and private sectors, forming a critical agro-industrial ecosystem.
Livelihood for Millions: It provides direct and indirect employment to a vast number of people in farming, harvesting, transportation, and processing.
2. Major Growing Regions (The Sugarcane Belt)
Sugarcane cultivation is highly concentrated in the fertile, alluvial plains of North-Western Bihar, which have access to good irrigation.
West Champaran District: The undisputed sugarcane capital of Bihar. It alone contributes a massive share of the state’s production and hosts several sugar mills.
Gopalganj District: Another major hub with extensive cultivation.
Siwan District: A significant contributor to the state’s output.
Saran District (including Chhapra): A key part of the sugarcane belt.
Other Districts: Cultivation also occurs in parts of East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur.
3. Agro-Climatic Conditions and Varieties
Climate: Sugarcane is a tropical crop that thrives in a warm and humid climate. It requires plenty of sunshine and adequate moisture.
Ideal Temperature: 26°C – 32°C.
Soil: It grows best in deep, well-drained, medium to heavy loamy soils and alluvial soils. The rich silt loams of the Gangetic plains in Bihar are perfectly suited. Good drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging.
Water: It is a water-intensive crop and requires a reliable source of irrigation, typically from canals and tube wells. The water table in these regions supports this need.
Popular Varieties:
Co (Coimbatore) Series: CoP 93014, CoLk 94184, CoSe 92423, CoS 767 are widely grown for their high yield and sugar recovery rates.
BO (Bihar) Series: BO 91, BO 99, BO 110, BO 147 are improved varieties developed specifically for the agro-climatic conditions of Bihar, known for their disease resistance and high sucrose content.
Early Maturing Varieties: Like CoJ 64, are also popular.
4. The Cultivation Cycle
Sugarcane has a long growing period, typically between 12 to 14 months in Bihar.
Planting (Feb – March & Sept – Oct): Sugarcane is planted using setts (sections of the cane stalk with buds). Planting is typically done in the spring (Adhak) or autumn (Ekbir) seasons.
Ratoon Cropping: After the main plant crop is harvested, the roots (stubble) left in the ground produce a new crop, known as a “ratoon” crop. This reduces the cost and time for the next harvest. Farmers usually take 1-2 ratoon crops before replanting.
Growing Period: The crop requires intensive care, including irrigation, weeding, and earthing-up (piling soil around the base of the plant for support).
Harvesting (Nov – April): Harvesting is a labor-intensive process, mostly done manually using a sickle. The season generally peaks from December to March.
5. Economic and Industrial Importance
The sugarcane sector is a multi-layered economic engine for Bihar:
Sugar Production: The primary product, supplying domestic markets.
By-Products and Value Addition:
Bagasse: The crushed fiber is used as biofuel to power the sugar mills and is increasingly being used to produce paper and biodegradable tableware.
Molasses: Used for producing industrial alcohol, ethanol (for blending with petrol), and as a key ingredient in animal feed.
Press Mud: Used as a rich organic fertilizer after composting.
Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP): With the Government of India’s push for Ethanol Blended Petrol, sugar mills in Bihar are contributing to the production of ethanol, a renewable fuel, creating an additional revenue stream.
Gur (Jaggery) and Khandsari Production: A significant portion of the cane is also used to produce traditional jaggery and raw sugar, which have a good local market.
6. Major Challenges
Despite its importance, the sugarcane sector in Bihar faces several critical challenges:
Low Sugar Recovery Rate: Compared to states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the sugar recovery rate (the amount of sugar extracted from the cane) in Bihar is often lower, affecting the profitability of mills.
Delay in Farmer Payments: A perennial issue where sugar mills delay payments to farmers for their cane, causing severe financial stress. This often leads to protests.
Price Disputes: The pricing of sugarcane, governed by the Centre’s Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) and the State Advisory Price (SAP), is frequently a point of contention between farmers and mill owners.
Pests and Diseases:
Pests: Early Shoot Borer, Top Borer, and Pyrilla.
Diseases: Red Rot (a devastating fungal disease), Smut, and Grassy Shoot Disease.
Water Logging: In some areas, poor drainage leads to waterlogging, which is detrimental to the crop.
Competition from Other Crops: Farmers sometimes shift to other lucrative crops like maize or winter vegetables, which have shorter durations and more stable markets.
Government Initiatives and The Way Forward
Sugarcane (Control) Order and Regulation: The government regulates the sector to ensure a fair price and timely payment to farmers.
Promotion of High-Yielding, High-Recovery Varieties: Dissemination of improved varieties like the BO series to enhance productivity and profitability.
Drip Irrigation Subsidies: Promoting micro-irrigation to save water and increase efficiency.
Bio-Energy Promotion: Supporting sugar mills to set up distilleries for ethanol production to improve their financial viability.
Conclusion
Sugarcane in Bihar is more than a crop; it is a lifeline for the rural economy in its western belt. Its success is intrinsically linked to the prosperity of millions of farmers and the health of the sugar industry. While challenges related to payment delays, recovery rates, and pests are significant, the crop’s inherent economic importance and new opportunities in bio-energy (ethanol) ensure its continued dominance. The future of the sector lies in improving mill efficiency, ensuring timely payments, and adopting modern agricultural practices to secure the sweet rewards of this vital crop for the people of Bihar.
