(i) Sugarcane is a crop of tropical areas under rainfed conditions. It is cultivated in sub-humid and humid climates. It is an irrigated crop in India.
(ii) The sugar industry is the second most important agro-based industry in the country. India is the largest producer of both sugarcane and cane sugar and contribute about 8% of the total sugar production.
(iii) Khandsari, and gur are also prepared from sugar. Sugar mills are located near the sugarcane production belt nearby as it is a weight losing crop. The ratio of sugar to sugarcane varies between 9 to 12% depending on its variety. It is a seasonal industry due to the availability of raw materials which is seasonal. It provides employment for 4 lakh people.
(iv) Its sucrose content begins to dry during haulage after it has been harvested from the field. Better recovery of sugar is dependent upon it being crushed within 24 hours of its harvesting Sugar factories are located within the cane producing regions.
(v) Maharastra has emerged as a leading sugar producer in the country and produces more than one third of total production. Uttar Pradesh is the second largest producer of sugar. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh. Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, MP and Gujarat are the sugarcane producing states.
