The Hindu Business Line : Bannari Amman Sugars adopts new tech to raise cane yield

WHEN Bannari Amman Sugars decided to enhance its cane crushing capacity, it also perceived the need to augment cane supplies. The promoters, however, under the present circumstance, saw no scope for increasing the crop area (horizontally). But they spotted a chance for improving the cane yield levels per unit area from 40 to 45 tonnes/acre to around 70 tonnes/acres by imbibing innovative cultivation practices.

"Apart from changing the cane varieties, we have in the last six months adopted certain cultivation practices to improve the yield levels as also the sugar recovery. Fertigation, pit planting, use of vermicompost, bio compost and bio products has not only improved the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil but has enhanced yield levels as well," Mr S.V. Balasubramaniam, Chairman, Bannari Amman Sugars, told Business Line.

Since drip irrigation is a costly proposition, the company is seeking the Government's help to enable the farmers avail themselves of this facility at a subsidised rate.

The company is hoping to get the growers adopt the new cultivation techniques in 20 per cent of the cane area in Sathyamangalam, Talawadi, Annur, Avinashi, Mettupalayam and Pollachi belts (which supply cane to the sugar factory in Sathyamangalam). It is likely to be extended to 40 per cent of the area in the next 12 months.

The company is engaged in the process of making wealth from waste. Apart from press-mud and spent wash, which act as a manure, Bannari Amman Sugars rolls out 18 types of bio-products. The company has invested close to Rs 1 crore towards establishment of the bio agro products division. In the last 10 months, this division has registered a turnover of Rs 1 crore.

"We are aiming to double it in the next one year. We are in the process of automating our production process. We are looking at production of crop specific production of bio products in the next phase," he said.

To a query, he said: "The cane supplies to the Sathyamangalam factory in Tamil Nadu was hit because of the prolonged drought. The situation has improved this year. However, to tackle the problem of drought, we have built check dams at five places, and the water level has gone up by 30 feet."

The (check dam) project cost has worked out to Rs 33.78 lakhs, with the Government infusing about Rs 21 lakhs. The company's investment has stood at Rs 10 lakhs and the growers' contribution amounted to Rs 2 lakhs.

Mr Balasubramaniam said the company had identified another 30 places for construction of check dams to conserve the water.

"We want to further enhance our cane crushing capacity in the Sathyamangalam factory from 4,000 TCD to 6,000 TCD, but for this to happen, we would have to get the check dams and tank replenishment project in place."

The company is looking at the expansion proposition only in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka unit is expected to start operating at 7,500 TCDs by June.

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