Impact of Surging Jaggery Industries on Sugarcane Expansion: A Study of Hingangaon Village, Haveli Taluka, Pune District

Abstract This research elucidates the reciprocal dynamics between small-scale jaggery industries and sugarcane cultivation expansion in Hingangaon Village, Taluka Haveli, Pune District, Maharashtra, emphasizing how surging jaggery demand catalyzes sugarcane acreage growth (Geolysis, 2025; Chinimandi, 2025). Utilizing a chi-square test on survey data from 100 households, the analysis reveals a highly significant association (χ²(4) = 29.45, p < 0.001), computed as Σ[(O-E)²/E] across a 3x3 contingency table stratifying jaggery unit increases (low: 0-5 units; medium: 6-10; high: >10) against sugarcane acreage changes (decreased, same, increased). Key residuals, such as high jaggery growth with acreage increase (27 observed vs. 15 expected), reject independence, mirroring national trends where jaggery's 9.2 million tons demand (25-30% of cane), revives fallow lands (Krishikosh, 2022; New Indian Express, 2025). Hingangaon (683 ha total, 572.4 ha cultivable) exemplifies this, with assured jaggery markets (₹40-50/kg) incentivizing irrigation expansions amid semi-arid constraints (Village Info, 2021). Cases from Alangad (15-50 acre surge for ₹200/kg organic jaggery) validate reverse causality (Chinimandi, 2025b). Small units offer 15-20% margins over sugar, employing 4-6 workers seasonally (ARCC Journals, 2022). Policy gaps addressed via FPOs/subsidies sustain Deccan agro-economies (Plant Archives, 2022)