Netafim India, a leading provider of smart irrigation solutions, commenced two-day high-octane summit on Integrated Sugarcane Management under Drip Fertigation and Automation in Pune. The event brought together 50+ sugarcane mills and 80+industry leaders, and agricultural experts to discuss strategies to enhance sugarcane productivity through precision irrigation, fertigation, and automation.
The conference commenced with an inauguration ceremony attended by eminent dignitaries, including Shri. Shekhar Gaikwad, IAS, Additional Director General, YASHADA, Pune and Former Commissioner of Sugar, Maharashtra; Shri. Bhairvanath Bhagvanrao Thombare, President, West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) & CMD, Natural Sugar and Allied Industries, Dharashiv; Dr. K. P. Mote, Mission Director and Director of Horticulture, Maharashtra State Horticulture and Medicinal Plant Board; Dr. Mahanand Shivajirao Mane, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Pune; Dr. Ravindra Dalpatrao Bansod, Associate Dean, RCSM College of Agriculture, Kolhapur; Dr. R.L. Bhilare, Sugarcane Specialist, Central Sugarcane Research Station, Padegaon and Dr. V Praveen Rao, Advisor, CII Telangana Agri & Food Processing Panel & Vice Chancellor, Kaveri University & International Micro-Irrigation Consultant & Ex. Vice Chancellor PJTSAU.
Netafim representatives Shri. Vikas Sonawane, COO; Shri. Arun Deshmukh, Head Agronomist – Central and North India; and Shri. Krishnath Mahamulkar, Head – Central Strategic Business Unit, provided insights into Maharashtra’s evolving sugarcane landscape, emphasizing the need for scalable irrigation solutions to boost crop yield and income security for farmers.
With India contributing 20% to global sugar production and over 520 sugar mills in operation, the sugarcane production faces an urgent need for modernization to meet rising domestic and global demand. Maharashtra’s sugarcane acreage as of 2023-24 is 14.1 lakh hectares out of which only 4 lakh hectares are under drip irrigation, presenting a massive opportunity to enhance productivity. The data also suggests, sugarcane productivity has stagnated at around 78 tonnes per hectare in the state, while sugar recovery is also stagnating at around 10.3% during the same period. Climate change, erratic monsoons, and water stress have further exacerbated challenges in production.
During the discussion, experts highlighted that drip irrigation, improved cane varieties, advanced agrochemicals, automation solution and better farm management as critical to achieving higher productivity. Statistics suggests that drip irrigation alone has saved around 212 TMC of water per season, boosted yields by around 10 million tonnes, and added around INR 3,000 crore additional income to farmers of Maharashtra per season. Expanding drip irrigation to the remaining 10 lakh hectares could significantly enhance national sugar output and resource efficiency.
There are already success stories of farmers in Maharashtra who has a recorded yields of 130-140 tonnes per acre in some areas, showcasing the potential of drip irrigation. Accelerating the adoption of automation, advanced irrigation, and sustainable agronomic practices could establish the state as a benchmark in high-yield, resource-efficient agriculture. Maharashtra’s agricultural landscape is on the brink of transformation, with Marathwada and Vidarbha emerging as key growth hubs, while Western Maharashtra’s service sector is poised to rival European standards in the coming years. As government policies, industry initiatives, and technological advancements converge, sugarcane farmers stand to gain from increased productivity and stable incomes. A strategic push toward drip irrigation and ecosystem-driven solutions can not only elevate Maharashtra’s sugarcane production but also reinforce India’s position as a global sugar powerhouse, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability and farmer prosperity.
