The Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Development Department has intensified efforts to promote drip irrigation among sugarcane farmers as part of its strategy to make cultivation more sustainable, improve water use efficiency and reduce production costs.
A workshop held at the Munderwa Sugar Mill in Basti district brought together farmers, agricultural experts and government officials to discuss modern irrigation practices amid rising cultivation costs, changing weather patterns and increasing pressure on water resources.
The programme was jointly organised by the Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Development Department and Jain Irrigation Systems Limited.
Addressing the workshop, Rajeev Rai, Deputy Sugarcane Commissioner (Eastern Region), highlighted the need for farmers to adopt modern technologies to improve productivity while conserving water.
During the technical session, Jain Irrigation State Head Ravindra Kumar Verma demonstrated the drip irrigation system and explained that the technology delivers water directly to plant roots under the “Per Drop More Crop” principle.
He said the system helps reduce water and fertiliser losses, lowers labour costs and improves both sugarcane yield and crop quality, making cultivation more economical.
Officials also explained the process for installing drip irrigation systems, the government subsidies available for the technology and the long-term financial benefits of adopting the system.
Alongside the irrigation awareness programme, the Sugarcane Development Department organised a special session to encourage farmers to enrol in government social security schemes.
In the presence of District Sugarcane Officer Jagbhan Bhadauria, the Lead Bank Manager informed farmers about the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, highlighting the financial protection available to farmers and their families at nominal premiums.
To expand awareness, officials decided to organise similar programmes at sugarcane cooperative society level during the second week of July.
The workshop was attended by Chief Cane Manager Ravindra Dhar Dwivedi, Munderwa Sugarcane Committee Chairman Surendra Pathak, Khalilabad Chairman Harikesh Chaudhary, Basti Chairman Pradeep Singh, along with sugarcane department officials and a large number of progressive farmers.