A Multi-Decadal Review Of Sugarcane Sector Dynamics In India: Growth Trends, Influencing Factors, And Policy Implications

Abstract

This study offers an extensive examination of the Indian sugarcane industry spanning six decades, from 1964–65 to 2023–24. It fills a significant void in the current research by measuring historical growth tendencies and integrating them with modern technological, environmental, and socio-economic aspects. Using Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and correlation analysis on official time-series data, the research demonstrates a fundamental shift in the sector's growth trajectory: an initial period of area-led expansion gave way to a modern, productivity-driven model. The results indicate an almost perfect positive connection between area and production (r=0.993) and a robust positive link between productivity and production (r=0.911). The data reveals notable regional inequalities, with northern governments prioritizing area development, whilst southern states attain greater production through enhanced water-use efficiency and mechanization.