Vijayawada: Sugarcane cultivation in Krishna district has significantly declined over the years, with farmers struggling with rising production costs and lack of govt support.
The cultivated area dropped from 17,000 hectares in 2018-19 to just 3,200 hectares in 2024-25. This decrease coincided with the closure of major sugar factories, including the Challapalli Lakshmipuram factory in 2020 and the Hanuman Junction factory in 2014.
The Vuyyuru sugar factory, which requires 8.10 lakh tonnes of sugarcane for full operation, has been running at half capacity for two years due to reduced yields and inadequate supply. Heavy rains and flooding during the 2024-25 season caused a four-tonne per acre drop in sugarcane yield.
Farmers investing 1.30 lakh per acre for cultivation—75% of whom are tenants—struggle with financial burdens, high rent demands from landowners, and limited access to financial aid. Tenant farmers and stakeholders are urging govt to improve advisory pricing, provide subsidies, and offer incentives to ensure the survival of sugarcane farming and factory operations.
“We’ve cultivated sugarcane for nearly three decades, but this is the worst crisis we’ve faced. Govt must step in to help,” said Y Rajagopal, a farmer from Kankipadu suburb.
