TWENTY-one per cent of canefarmers in the country are below the age of 50, says Ministry of Sugar Industry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan.
He said increased access to education has led to the industry being faced with a crisis.
“What has happened is the farmers have educated their children and they move on to better job opportunities and some have even migrated overseas,” he said.
“They’ve become teachers, doctors and accountants, taking on other professions. So this has cost the industry.”
Mr Karan said the ministry was rolling out new programs to attract new farmers.
“Now we are giving incentives to younger or new farmers. We are making things attractive so that at least younger people can go into farming as well.”
He added other changes such as new machines were also a part of efforts to revitalise the industry.
“We have put in a substantial amount of money to mechanise the industry and introduce mechanical harvesters.
“We are also introducing cane planters.
“For this particular machine, we are talking to manufacturers in India to get these harvesters which can go on a terrain that is up to a 30-degree angle.”
Mr Karan said increased mechanisation would reduce reliance on labourers and make farming more exciting.
