EXPERTS COMMITTEE ON SMALL HARVESTING MACHINES APPOINTED

EXCELLENT AND PROPER DECISION OF HON. SUGAR COMMISSIONER ABOUT APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS TO STUDY AND REPORT IN DETAIL ABOUT URGENT NEED OF SMALL HARVESTING MACHINES!

The need for small sugarcane harvesting machines is becoming increasingly urgent due to several interrelated factors:

1) Fragmentation of Land Holdings:
With the division of joint family lands into smaller plots, traditional large-capacity harvesting machines are often too cumbersome to operate efficiently. Smaller, more agile machines are better suited for these compact fields, ensuring that harvesting can be carried out effectively without the spatial limitations that hinder larger equipment.

2) Labor Shortages and Harvesting Delays:
A significant shortage of harvesting laborers has led to delays in the harvesting process. These delays not only affect the overall schedule of the sugar factories but also result in late harvesting, which can have detrimental effects on the quality of the sugarcane crop.

3) Impact on Crop Quality:
Delayed harvesting often results in early flowering, a phenomenon that reduces the cane’s weight and sugar recovery. This directly affects the yield and the quality of the final product, impacting both the profitability of sugar factories and the livelihoods of cane cultivators.

4) Operational Disturbances and Labor Conflicts:
The use of large machinery in small fields can lead to operational disturbances in the factories’ harvesting programs.
Moreover, the reliance on manual labor often results in conflicts and harassment of cane cultivators by harvesting laborers, further complicating the harvesting process.

5) Economic and Operational Efficiency:
By manufacturing and deploying small, purpose-built harvesting machines, sugar factories can streamline their operations, reduce reliance on scarce labor, and minimize conflicts. This tailored approach will ensure timely harvesting, maintain crop quality, and ultimately lead to better sugar recovery rates.

In summary, the development and adoption of small sugarcane harvesting machines are crucial for adapting to the changing landscape of sugarcane agriculture. These machines address the practical challenges posed by smaller land holdings and labor shortages while ensuring that harvesting is both efficient and timely, thus preserving crop quality and maximizing sugar yield.