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Cane farming in hilly areas still a challenge: Vegnathan

November 30, 2018 6:16 pm

Cane farming in hilly areas remains a challenge for farmers as it cannot be fully utilized.

Assistant Minister for sugar, George Vegnathan says government will provide $900 per hectare for the preparation of hilly lands.

This is additional to the $2,000 per hectare, which is committed under the current Cane Planting Grant Scheme for land preparation and planting.

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“It is crucial to increase the crop yield as sugarcane farmers can increase their income significantly with increasing tonnes per hectare production in the same plot of land.”

Vegnathan says the livelihood of 200,000 people depend on the sugar industry.

He adds that according to the 2017 FSC annual report, they’re the largest employer with a workforce of around 2,000 during peak crushing season.