Sugarcane

Context: According to the Indian Sugar Mills’ Association (ISMA), sugar production in the current season (October 2022 to September 2023) is slightly lower than the last year’s production.

About Sugarcane crop:

• India is the second largest producer of sugarcane after Brazil.
• It is the main source of sugar, Gur (jaggery), khandsari and molasses.
• It is a tropical and perennial grass which attains a length of 10 to 20 feet.
• A single plant of sugarcane has ‘many stems’ in a tuft.
• Modern Sugar making was introduced in India probably by Dutch.
• The first Sugar Mill was started in Bihar in 1903; followed by another unit in 1904 in Uttar Pradesh.

Suitable Conditions:

• Temperature: Between 21-27°C with hot and humid climate.
• Rainfall: Around 75-100 cm.
• Soil Type: Deep rich loamy soil.
• Top Sugarcane Producing States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar.
• It can be grown on all varieties of soils ranging from sandy loam to clay loam given these soils should be well drained.
• It needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting.

About Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA):

• Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) is a premier sugar organization in India.
• It is the interface between Government and sugar industry (both private and public sugar mills) in the country.
• The prime objective is to ensure that the functioning and interest of both the private and public sugar mills in the country are safeguarded through conducive and growth-oriented policies of the Government.
• ISMA is the oldest industrial Association in the country which was established in 1932.
• ISMA is recognized by both the Central Government and State Governments as the apex sugar body in the country, to voice the concerns of the private sugar mills and the sugar industry as a whole.

Source:   The Hindu

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide ? (2022)

1. Cotton
2. Rice
3. Sugarcane
4. Wheat

Q.2) Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants? (2022)

1. Alfalfa
2. Amaranth
3. Chickpea
4. Clover
5. Purslane (Kulfa)
6. Spinach

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 3 and 4 only
2. 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
3. 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
4. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6