Odisha Pushes Modern Sugarcane Technologies to Raise Productivity, Cut Cultivation Costs

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is looking to raise sugarcane productivity and improve farmers’ returns by promoting modern cultivation practices, precision irrigation and high-yielding varieties, with a two-day state-level workshop underway in Bhubaneswar to accelerate the adoption of new technologies.

Organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment under the Technology Mission on Sugarcane Development (TMSD), the workshop focuses on taking improved production technologies to farmers while strengthening market linkages through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

The workshop, titled “Modern Sugarcane Production Technologies for Higher Productivity”, was inaugurated at the Krushi Bhawan Auditorium. It brings together farmers, agricultural scientists, researchers and officials to discuss ways to improve productivity and reduce input costs.

Sugarcane-growing districts including Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur and Kalahandi are among the areas expected to benefit from greater technology dissemination and stronger farmer-market connections.

Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said sugarcane has significant potential to improve rural livelihoods in Odisha. He stressed the need to promote modern agronomic practices, precision irrigation and high-yielding varieties to increase productivity while keeping cultivation costs under control.

He said the Technology Mission seeks to bridge the gap between agricultural research and field-level practices by taking scientific innovations directly to farmers.

Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of cooperatives and FPOs in the sugarcane value chain. Direct market linkages, he said, can help farmers secure better returns while improving coordination among sugar mills, research institutions and producer organisations.

The workshop is also examining ways to ensure timely procurement, improve sugar recovery and promote greater transparency in pricing.

Technical sessions during the two-day programme are being conducted by scientists from ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (ICAR-IISR), ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (ICAR-IIWM), Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute (ICAR-CRRI).

Discussions are covering high-yielding varieties, soil health management, integrated nutrient and pest management, precision irrigation and agricultural mechanisation. The workshop also provides farmers with an opportunity to interact directly with scientists and seek technical guidance on field-level challenges.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr Pravat Kumar Roul, Director of Agriculture Subham Saxena, Director of Soil Conservation Subrat Kumar Panda and senior officials attended the inaugural session.

Five progressive sugarcane farmers were also honoured and rewarded during the programme for their contribution to sugarcane production.

The initiative is aimed at creating a more productive and technology-driven sugarcane sector in Odisha by combining scientific farming practices with stronger institutional and market support for cultivators.