Shantakumar calls for AI-driven sugarcane farming model in K’taka, citing Maharashtra’s success

Pic: State Sugarcane Growers' Association president Kuruburu Shantakumar addresses the media FridayBelagavi: Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association president Kuruburu Shantakumar has urged govt to adopt an artificial intelligence-based model for sugarcane cultivation, inspired by practices in Maharashtra. He also demanded that sugar factories clear pending arrears of Rs 3,500 crore owed to farmers for cane supplied last year.Addressing the media on Friday, Shantakumar noted that over 5,000 farmers in Maharashtra are already using AI in sugarcane farming and have achieved nearly 50% higher yield per acre.He said a delegation of 16 farmers, including himself, from the Karnataka Farmers' Association recently visited the Baramati Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Maharashtra for a two-day study. According to him, AI technology assists farmers with crucial inputs such as soil type and properties, rainfall patterns, seed quality, weather forecasts, crop health monitoring, and disease identification and diagnosis. This, he added, has led to improved crop growth while also reducing cultivation costs.Shantakumar explained that adopting AI-based farming costs around Rs 25,000 per hectare. In Maharashtra, the state govt provides a subsidy of Rs 18,000, while sugar factories contribute the remaining Rs 7,000, making the technology more accessible to farmers.Highlighting payment concerns, he said during the 2025–26 season, 80 sugar factories in Karnataka crushed 5.8 crore quintals of sugarcane, yet over Rs 3,500 crore in dues remain unpaid. He alleged that more than 50 factories have failed to clear arrears and urged deputy commissioners to take strict action, including seizing sugar stocks if necessary to ensure farmers receive their payments.Shantakumar also emphasised the need to promote ethanol production from sugarcane, paddy, and corn, stating that it would boost farmers' income, help address cooking fuel shortages, reduce environmental impact, and conserve foreign exchange. He called on the central govt to take immediate steps in this direction.Several farmers, including Mahesh Belagankar, Ramesh Hiremath, SB Sidnal, NH Devakumar, Hattalli Devaraj, Parashuram Yattinagudda, Baradanapur Nagaraj, Bapu Gouda Patil, Veeranna Gouda, and Shivappa Bhairoji, were present at the briefing.