MP Gurumoorthy Flags Decline in Tirupati Sugarcane Cultivation

Tirupati MP Gurumoorthy has urged the Central Government to step up support for sugarcane farmers, expressing concern over the steady decline in sugarcane cultivation and production in Tirupati district.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, the MP sought details on the factors contributing to the shrinking acreage, the assistance currently available to farmers, and the measures being taken by the Centre to revive the sugarcane sector. In response, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Ramnath Thakur furnished a written reply outlining the government's initiatives and district-wise performance.

The minister informed the House that data covering the past five years showed a gradual decline in both sugarcane acreage and production in Tirupati district. The figures were part of district-wise statistics on cultivation, production and yield submitted for Andhra Pradesh, reflecting the challenges facing the crop in the region.

To improve productivity and encourage farmers to continue cultivating sugarcane, the Centre is implementing several schemes. Ramnath Thakur said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed Co09004, a high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane variety suitable for Andhra Pradesh, which is expected to be released soon.

The minister added that under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, farmers are being provided with training, technology dissemination and field demonstrations to promote scientific cultivation practices and enhance crop productivity.

Highlighting support for farm mechanisation, he said the Centre has released ₹955.28 crore to Andhra Pradesh under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) between 2014-15 and 2026-27. The funds have been utilised to distribute agricultural machinery on subsidy and establish Custom Hiring Centres, Hi-Tech Hubs and Farm Machinery Banks, making modern equipment more accessible to farmers.

On irrigation, the minister said the Per Drop More Crop programme is encouraging the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, including drip and sprinkler irrigation. The scheme provides financial assistance of 55% to small and marginal farmers and 45% to other farmers, helping improve water-use efficiency while reducing cultivation costs.

Addressing concerns over pricing, Ramnath Thakur clarified that sugar mills cannot procure sugarcane below the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Centre for every crushing season, ensuring growers receive a guaranteed minimum price for their produce.

He also informed the House that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) sanctioned loans worth ₹10,005 crore during 2023-24 and 2024-25 for the modernisation and revival of cooperative sugar mills, aimed at strengthening the sugar industry and improving its long-term sustainability.