Important Pests of sugarcane & their Management

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of the most important commercial crops grown in India as well as in Haryana state. The sugarcane and sugar production in India typically follow a 6 to 8 year cycle, wherein 3 to 4 years of higher production are followed by 2 to 3 years of lower production. After two consecutive years of declining sugar production India's total centrifugal sugar production in 20I0/II is forecast at24.7 million tons (including 435,000 tons of khandsari sugar up 27 percent from the 2009 /L0, on expected improved sugarcane supplies due to higher cane planting and yields. Gur production is forecast lower at 5.6 million tons compared to 6.6 million tons last year on expected weak prices. cent) Sugarcane production in Haryana is expected to fall to around 490 lakh quintals in 2009-10 (October-September), around 4.5% less than last yea4 maintaining a trend that started two years back as farmers shifted from cane to more remunerative crops like wheat and paddy. Sugarcane output in 2007-08 was 886 lakh quintals, which declined to 513 lakh quintals in 2008-09 seasons. A big reason for drop in cane output has been fall in acreage, which shrunk to around 75,000 hectares this year from 90,000 hectares in 2008-09. Sugarcane has an important impact on the economy of the country since time immemorial. About one-sixth of the total labour force is employed in sugarcane production, sugar manufacturing and associated industries. In addition to the employment earns valuable foreign exchange for the country. But the sugarcane production decrease day by day due to attack of insect pests.