Sugarcane farmers rejoice! Now planting will be faster and cheaper - know the new technology

A major breakthrough is set to transform sugarcane farming in India. To make sugarcane cultivation faster, cost-effective and more efficient, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a new advanced planting technology. This innovation reduces farmers' time, labour and overall cultivation cost.

Developed jointly by ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute (Coimbatore) and ICAR–Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Regional Centre (Coimbatore), the Mini Tractor-Operated Sugarcane Settling Transplanter has been specially designed for small and marginal farmers.

What Makes This Transplanter Special?

This technology brings precision and smart automation to sugarcane farming. Key features include:
Reduces planting time by up to 50%
Cuts labour expenses by 73%
Ensures accurate spacing between rows and plants
Minimizes seed, water and fertilizer usage
Supports uniform crop growth for higher yield
Experts believe this machine could be a game-changer, especially in regions facing farm labour shortages and rising wage costs.

How Does the Machine Work?

This transplanter is mounted on a mini tractor and plants pre-prepared sugarcane setts (young saplings or bud cuttings) at uniform depth and spacing. It automatically adjusts planting depth based on soil conditions, helping roots grow stronger for healthier crop development.

Even spacing also improves overall farm management, including:

1. Better irrigation efficiency
2. Balanced fertilizer distribution
3. Easier weeding and harvesting

Top Benefits for Farmers:

1. Lower costs, higher profits — reduced spending on seed and labour
2. Improved crop quality — uniform plant growth ensures better yield
3. Saves water — optimized irrigation lowers water wastage
4. On-time sowing — enables farmers to plan their next crop cycle efficiently

How Is It Better Than Conventional Machines?

Older sugarcane planting machines typically require 8–10 tonnes of seeds per hectare, and almost 20% of total input cost goes into seed alone. The new ICAR transplanter significantly reduces seed usage, resulting in major cost savings for farmers.

Which States Will Benefit the Most?

This innovation is expected to deliver maximum impact in sugarcane-growing states such as: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka In these regions, high labour cost and shortage of farm workers often delay planting, a challenge this machine can greatly help resolve.

A New Era for Sugarcane Farming: The Mini Tractor Sugarcane Transplanter has the potential to redefine traditional cultivation methods. It plants bud-chips and single-bud setts, a modern scientific approach that reduces seed dependency and enhances efficiency.

Agriculture experts believe this technology will:

1. Improve sugarcane production quality
2. Increase farmer income
3. Lower cultivation expenses
4. Strengthen India’s sugarcane farming sector

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