Describing the distribution of sugarcane producing countries, examine the major environmental challenges associated with its cultivation.

Conditions of sugarcane cultivation: Water supply/water intensive, loamy sandy and black soil, hot and humid climate (20-25°C, 60-70% humidity). Map showing distribution of sugarcane producers with countries labeled: America, Cuba, Brazil, India, Africa. Major environmental challenges: (1) Water intensive crop: 1 tonne of sugarcane require 7000 liters of water. (2) Nutrient exhaustive crop: in worth belt of Uttar Pradesh soil quality is degrading. (3) Stubble burning: leading to air pollution. (4) Excessive fertilizer and pesticide usage: leading to water pollution both under-ground and river water. (5) Food insecurity: due to mono-cropping of commercial crops. (6) Threat to crop diversity: due to excessive sugarcane production = loss of other variety of crops like Rice, Boda, etc. (7) Air and water polluting sugar mills: they are established near water bodies.

Measures to check environmental harm: (1) Importing clean sugar (Santakumar Panel) (2) Crop diversification @ introduction of millet (3) Agro-climatic agriculture: non-ecologically viable crops should not be grown (4) NO sugarcane in arid Haryana region. (5) Improving on technology of old sugar mills to reduce pollution (6) Soil health check up: and apt fertilizer applicator. (7) Micro-irrigation for sugarcane @ Drip irrigation (PM KSY - micro-irrigation). Diversification and ecologically sensitive planning should be followed to counter food insecurity challenges due to climate change, etc.

— VIVEK SINGH · AIR 276