Haryana encourages intercropping in sugarcane farming

Chandigarh, June 17 (UNI) In order to enhance the income of farmers from sugarcane-based cropping system, the Haryana administration is encouraging inter-cropping of mustard, wheat, onion, garlic, coriander and vegetables.

An area of 38,300 acres has been covered under inter-cropping in between rows of sugarcane, an official spokesman said here today.

To improve the per acre yield of sugarcane, he said, improved technologies like pit planting of sugarcane, wide row spacing, bed planting and space transplanting had been demonstrated in the fields of the farmers.

Other steps like cultivation of improved varieties over 93 per cent of area, use of recommended doses of fertilisers, effective control of pest and diseases and timely arrangements of inputs were being taken.

He said the area under sugarcane cultivation in Haryana was likely to increase from 1.65 lakh acre in 2005-06 to over 2.14 lakh acre during 2006-07 season showing an increase of 30 per cent.

The production of sugarcane would increase from 360 lakh quintal to more than 500 lakh quintal during the same period. Of this, about 396 lakh quintals of sugarcane would be available to the mills for crushing as against 196 lakh quintals crushed by all the cooperative sugar mills during 2005-06.

He said a detailed action plan had been prepared for repair and maintenance of cooperative sugar mills in view of the increased cane availability for crushing season 2006-07. This plan involved an investment of Rs 34.54 crore.

UNI MA BK RL VV1718