Dynamics of Sugarcane Growth and Productivity in Mandya District, Karnataka, India

Agriculture plays a crucial role in India's economy by generating employment, ensuring food security, driving economic growth, and supporting environmental sustainability. India, a major agricultural player, contributes over 17 per cent to GDP and employs more than 50 per cent of the workforce. Sugarcane, a key cash crop, is vital for the sugar industry, with Karnataka being a significant producer (70.264 MT). Mandya district plays an essential role in Karnataka’s sugarcane production, contributing substantially to the state’s total cultivated area and output. This study evaluates sugarcane cultivation in Mandya district from 2000-01 to 2023-24, analyzing growth trends, instability, and production dynamics. The study period is divided into two phases: the first (2000-01 to 2011-12) shows modest growth in area (1.19%) and production (1.32%) with high production instability (38.98%), influenced by climatic variability and market uncertainties. The second period (2012-13 to 2023-24) exhibits significant growth in area (7.94%) and production (7.01%), with reduced instability (27.66%), though productivity declined (-0.74%) due to soil fertility depletion and monocropping. Decomposition analysis reveals that yield effects (142.29%) were the dominant driver of production growth over the entire period, while area expansion had minimal or negative effects. The study recommends adopting high-yielding, drought-resistant varieties and improving soil management to enhance stability and productivity, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable sugarcane sector in Mandya district. The study recommends adopting high-yielding, drought-resistant varieties and improved soil management to enhance sustainability. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and farmers in improving sugarcane production and stabilizing the sector.