Sugar Industry in India UPSC| Describe the factors to establish the sugar industry at a particular place.

The sugar industry is the second most important agro-based industry in India after the textile industry. Sugar industries provide employment to 4 lakhs directly and indirectly to lakhs of farmers. The number of sugar industries in India increased from 139 in 1950-51 to 662 in 2010-11. Maharashtra is the major producer of sugar, followed by Uttar Pradesh at number two.

Sugar Industry like other industries, it can be set up at a particular place, the following are the factors for its establishment:

• Proximity to sugarcane growing area
• Climate
• Labour availability
• Transporation availability
• Government incentive

Proximity to sugarcane growing area:

• The sugar industry is a weight loss industry as the final product (sugar) of sugar industries constitutes only 9 to 10 percent of the raw material (sugarcane).
• Sugarcane has to be crushed within 24 hours of harvesting otherwise less sugar comes out of sugarcane.
• This is the reason that most of the sugar industries of Uttar Pradesh are located in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab and Terai region where there is sufficient production of sugarcane.

Climate:

• Due to a cold climate, sucrose from sugarcane does not dry quickly and this ensures a long crushing period.
• Warmer climates increase the total yield by increasing the amount of sucrose in sugarcane, which is why sugar mills and sugarcane production are increasing in western India (Maharashtra) and southern India (Tamil Nadu) recently.

Proximity to sugarcane growing areas and climate are two important factors for setting up sugar industries, but other factors such as government incentives, labor availability, transportation, etc. also influence the establishment of the sugar industry at a particular location.

Differences between the sugar industry of North and Peninsular India:

Nowadays, the sugar industry of North India is shifting to peninsular India due to better attractive conditions of the sugar industry in peninsular India. The following are favorable conditions for sugar Industries in Peninsular India:

• Due to the proximity of the ocean, and the availability of a tropical climate, there is a higher yield of sugar cane per unit area in peninsular India[especially in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra] as compared to north India [ especially in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar].
• A tropical variety of sugarcane that is suitable for peninsular India has been developed which has higher sucrose content.
• The crushing period is longer[ around 7 to 8 months] in peninsular India as compared to north India[3-6 months].
• The Sugar Industry of peninsular India is based on the latest technology and they are new compared to the sugar industry of the North.
• Sugar mills are largely operated by a cooperative society and they are well managed in peninsular India[ especially in Maharashtra and Tamil nadu] as compared to north India.

Try to solve the following questions:

• Describe the factors to establish the sugar industry in a particular place. ( UPPSC, 2020, 15 Marks)
• Give a reasoned account of the difference between the sugar industry of North and Peninsular India. ( 10 Marks) (UPSC 2021 geography optional) 

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