Sugar production in Bharat

Bharat is the world’s second-largest sugar producer, with 34 million metric tonnes of production, about a fifth of the global production.

India’s sugar exports grew by 291% from $1,177 million in FY 2013-2014 to $4,600 million in FY 2021-22 and 64.90% in 2021-2022.

About 50 million farmers depend on sugarcane cultivation in India. An additional half million depend on sugar and allied factories.

Sugarcane is well-known for requiring a lot of water to cultivate

• $ On average, 1 kg of sugar requires between 1,500 and 2,000 kg of water.

Natural ecosystems like grasslands and savannahs in these states have also been converted to plant sugarcane.

Along with the ensuing biodiversity loss, this change has increased the pressure on water resources and increased the need for alternate cropping patterns.

The social dynamics of sugar industries narrate another story.

Media reports have unearthed poor working conditions, including long working hours.

Rising temperatures in peninsular India acts as a threat multiplier.

Workers trapped in vicious debt cycles incur even more stress.