India is the world’s second-largest producer of sugarcane, a crop that underpins the rural economy and supports millions of livelihoods. Over time, the sector has expanded beyond meeting domestic sugar demand to playing a critical role in boosting farmers’ income and contributing to the country’s energy goals through ethanol production and cogeneration. With the government now aiming to move beyond the E20 blending target, sugarcane’s role as a feedstock will only grow, making productivity and supply chain efficiency more important than ever.
However, in recent time the industry has been confronted with challenges such as shifting climatic conditions, disease & pest attacks, and fluctuating yields. Therefore, to overcome these challenges and meet this growing demand, the focus must shift to high-yielding, disease & pest resilient as well as climate-resilient seed varieties.
Vulnerability of current sugarcane varieties
Another major reason of exploring new varieties is the vulnerability of the current sugarcane breed. For over a decade, India’s sugarcane productivity story has been led by Co 0238, a high-yielding, high-sucrose variety that became synonymous with success across northern India. But its dominance is showing cracks. Growing susceptibility to red rot and declining performance in some agro-climatic zones have exposed the risks of over-reliance on a single variety.
The implications are profound. If variety vulnerability leads to yield losses or supply disruption, it directly affects sugar output, ethanol availability, mill efficiency, and farmer income. In a sector increasingly integrated with energy markets, any weakness in the raw material base creates downstream instability. That’s why variety diversification is no longer a technical issue, it’s a strategic imperative for the entire sugar ecosystem.
Government supporting the shift
The government has also acknowledged the situation and in 2024, it introduced four sugarcane varieties Karan 17 (Co 17018), IKHSU-16 (CoLk 16202), IKHSU-17 (CoLk 16470), and CoPb 17215 to boost sugarcane yields. States like Uttar Pradesh have also responded well with ambition. By investing extensively in R&D, the state has developed over 240 improved sugarcane varieties, with nearly 60 in active use, backed by a robust seed production and distribution system. This ecosystem includes a 267-hectare breeder seed nursery, ensuring availability of certified, disease-free planting material.
For mills, these varieties enable better operational planning through staggered maturing and higher sugar recovery, leading to improved capacity utilisation and reduced inefficiencies.
The adoption challenge
While the new varieties hold immense potential, they can’t drive impact until they reach the farm and that’s where the pace slows. Many farmers still find security in Co 0238’s track record, especially in regions where it continues to deliver. New varieties, despite their promise, must earn trust through performance. That trust-building takes time and a collaborative push.
Moreover, challenges such as limited access to farmer training on best agronomic practices, the high cost and low availability of improved seed varieties continue to slow down adoption efforts.
Encouragingly, sugar mills are stepping up as catalysts. Partnering with agri-scientists and extension networks, mills are promoting new varieties through demo plots, technical guidance, and input support. If done well, these varieties will also benefit the sugar manufacturers to improve planning and efficiency through staggered maturity and better recovery and for farmers, this offers a better income growth.
Institutionally, the narrative is gaining further strength. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), in its 2025–26 non-price policy recommendations, encouraged the wider adoption of pest- and disease-resistant sugarcane varieties along with integrated pest management strategies. It also pointed out that a significant gap remains between the demand and availability of quality seed cane, a challenge that can only be resolved through coordinated efforts by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), State Agricultural Universities, sugar mills, and farmers collectively.
Overall, India’s sugarcane sector doesn’t need disruption, it needs smart evolution. That means integrating new varieties thoughtfully, supporting farmers through the transition, and treating innovation as a shared responsibility.
The future of India’s ethanol economy, sugar industry, and farmer resilience depends on this transformation. If done right, seed innovation can unlock a new era of productivity, profitability, and purpose for the sugar industry.
Because in the end, the future won’t just be seeded in breeder nurseries or policy whitepapers. It will be grown in the trust of farmers, the vision of mill owners, and the collective ambition of an industry ready to lead and deliver.
The author is Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd., and Chairman, CII National Council on Agriculture and Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Bioenerg
Published on August 24, 2025
