Technology Meets Agriculture: Harvesters Prove Game-Changer For Sugarcane Cutting In Ambegaon Taluka

Ambegaon, 6th March 2025: The use of harvesters for sugarcane cutting has increased significantly in Ambegaon taluka, with farmers preferring machine-based harvesting over manual labor. The efficiency and speed of harvesters have led to better-quality sugarcane cutting in less time, said Bhimashankar Sugar Factory Chairman Balasaheb Bende Patil and Vice Chairman Pradeep Valse Patil.

The crushing season at Bhimashankar Cooperative Sugar Factory is currently underway. While manual labor is still used for sugarcane cutting, the factory is now also utilizing 13 harvester machines. Each machine can harvest up to 100 tons of sugarcane daily, covering approximately 1.5 acres. Farmers are increasingly opting for harvester-based cutting as it minimizes losses compared to traditional manual methods.

Bhimashankar Sugar Factory Executive Director Chandrakant Dhage and Chief Agricultural Officer Dilip Kurkute stated that each harvester is supported by six to seven vehicles for transportation, including in-field loaders, tractors, and carriers that transport the harvested sugarcane to the factory. With rising temperatures, farmers are eager to complete the harvesting process quickly, leading to an increased pace in sugarcane cutting.

For efficient harvester operation, dry soil conditions are necessary to prevent the machines from getting stuck. Unlike manual cutting, where sugarcane is sometimes burnt to ease the process, harvesters cut the crop uniformly at ground level, collecting even fallen stalks. Additionally, leftover sugarcane residue is finely chopped and spread across fields, acting as a natural fertilizer and reducing water requirements in summer.

Bhimashankar Sugar Factory’s Chief Sugarcane Officer Dinkar Adak and Agricultural Officer Someshwar Dixit informed that the harvesters also promote better regrowth of sugarcane stubble, leading to an increase in yield. On average, fields harvested with machines produce an additional 10 tons of sugarcane per acre compared to those cut manually. Due to these advantages, the use of harvesters is gaining widespread acceptance among farmers.