Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Telangana Plans Rs 500 Incentive for Sugarcane Farmers
The Telangana government wants to help farmers grow sugarcane by giving them a small payment for each unit of crop, just like they do for rice farmers.
Only a few sugar factories are working right now, and the state needs more sugarcane to keep them running.
The chief secretary met with experts to learn how other states help farmers and to make a plan to grow more sugarcane.
About 19,000 farmers are already growing sugarcane on a big area, but they face high costs and not enough workers.
Experts said sugarcane uses less water than rice and can also make fuel and electricity, so they want farmers to use better methods like drip irrigation.
The plan is to give farmers money and support so the state can produce enough sugarcane for all its factories.
Telangana government plans to offer Rs 500 per quintal incentive to sugarcane farmers, similar to fine‑variety paddy subsidy.
Only 7 of 12 sugarcane factories are operational; state needs 50 lakh tonnes to run all, but produces 20 lakh tonnes.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju convened a committee to study incentives from other states and draft an action plan to expand sugarcane cultivation and revive factories.
19,000 farmers are growing sugarcane on 26,000 hectares for 2026‑27 season, but face high costs and labour shortages.
Experts highlighted sugarcane’s lower water needs and benefits like ethanol and electricity production, urging modern techniques such as drip irrigation.
- Who
- Telangana government, State Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, sugarcane farmers, agriculture experts
- What
- Proposal to give Rs 500 per quintal incentive to sugarcane farmers and action plan to revive sugar factories
- When
- 2026-27 agricultural season; meeting held recently
- Where
- Telangana state, Hyderabad
- Why
- Shortfall of sugarcane to run all factories and high cultivation costs and labour shortages
- State
- Telangana
- Incentive amount
- Rs 500 per quintal
- Operational sugarcane factories
- 7 out of 12
- Current sugarcane production
- 20 lakh metric tonnes
- Required sugarcane for all factories
- 50 lakh metric tonnes
- Farmers cultivating sugarcane (2026-27)
- 19,000
- Area under cultivation
- 26,000 hectares