Punjab targets 700 lakh quintals of sugarcane as cultivation area rises to 1.16 lakh hectares
₹3,200 per acre incentive for demonstration plots; 40% subsidy on sugarcane harvesters, planters and other machinery
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 13, 2026: Punjab’s sugarcane cultivation area has increased to 1,16,131 hectares in the 2026-27 season, with the state government targeting production of around 700 lakh quintals, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said on Sunday.
Khudian said the Bhagwant Mann-led government was promoting scientific farming, mechanisation and farmer training to increase sugarcane yields, improve sugar recovery and reduce cultivation costs.
According to official data, sugarcane acreage has increased from 1,11,818 hectares in 2025-26 to 1,16,131 hectares in 2026-27. Of the total area this year, 47,295 hectares are under ratoon crop, 51,174 hectares under spring crop and 17,662 hectares under autumn crop.
Khudian said the state expected sugarcane production to reach nearly 700 lakh quintals if weather conditions remained favourable.
As part of the government’s efforts to promote scientific cultivation, farmers will receive an incentive of ₹3,200 per acre for setting up demonstration plots in 12 districts — Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Fazilka, Faridkot and Kapurthala.
The demonstration plots will showcase techniques such as wide-row spacing, trench planting, intercropping, mulching and scientific ratoon management, aimed at improving productivity while reducing input costs.
The government is also promoting mechanisation to address the shortage of farm labour during sowing and harvesting. Farmers will receive a 40% subsidy on sugarcane harvesters, small tractors, cane planters and ratoon managers.
“Mechanisation is no longer an option but a necessity. Our aim is to make these machines easily accessible and affordable for every farmer,” Khudian said.
The Agriculture Department, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and sugar mills are conducting awareness camps and training programmes to help farmers adopt improved cultivation practices.
The programmes cover trench planting, primary seed nurseries, certified disease-free varieties, balanced fertiliser application, integrated pest management and ratoon management.
Khudian said 14 webinars had trained around 1,100 farmers, while 320 training camps had directly reached more than 15,000 farmers. Farmers are also being provided technical guidance through social media platforms, agriculture department field staff and direct interactions.
Describing sugarcane as one of Punjab’s key crops after wheat and paddy, Khudian said the crop supported a large number of farming families and agricultural workers across the state.
He said the government’s strategy of combining financial incentives, scientific farming techniques, mechanisation and farmer training was aimed at making sugarcane cultivation more profitable.
“Our comprehensive approach will bring down cultivation expenses, enhance productivity and improve sugar recovery. We are fully committed to ensuring that Punjab’s sugarcane farmers reap the rewards of their hard work and contribute meaningfully to the state’s agrarian prosperity,” Khudian said.