About the Book & the Author

“A Guide to Sugarcane Cultivation in North India” is a comprehensive 100-page book comprising 18 chapters that provide practical, easy-to-understand guidance on every important aspect of sugarcane cultivation in North India.

When this book was compiled toward the end of 2025, both sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry were facing significant challenges. The once highly popular sugarcane variety Co 0238 had become susceptible to Red Rot disease, leading to a decline in both crop productivity and sugar recovery. The reduced cultivation of Co 0238, along with the comparatively lower yields of alternative varieties, had a direct impact on farmers' income.

At the same time, aggressive marketing by agrochemical companies continued to increase farmers' dependence on agricultural chemicals, making it difficult to reduce cultivation costs. Sugar mills also faced challenges due to insufficient sugarcane availability, forcing many mills to end their crushing operations earlier than expected.

Recognizing these challenges, this book was developed as a practical guide to help farmers return to sound agricultural practices, reduce production costs, adopt the judicious use of agrochemicals, and embrace farm mechanization to improve productivity and profitability.

Written in simple Hindi and supported with illustrations, the book is designed to be easily understood by farmers as well as professionals working in the Sugarcane Development Department. It has been published by the Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Trust at a minimal cost to ensure wider accessibility. From every copy sold, ₹20 will be donated to the Trust to support social welfare initiatives. The author will not receive any financial benefit from the sale of this book.

The author is a Padma Shri awardee and comes from a farming family, having dedicated his career to the welfare of farmers. As a distinguished sugarcane breeder, he has played a key role in the development and release of 24 sugarcane varieties, including the landmark variety Co 0238, which became one of the most successful and widely cultivated sugarcane varieties in India. Other notable varieties developed by him include Co 98014, Co 0118, and Co 05011.

Throughout his professional journey, the author has been deeply inspired and supported by his parents, family, mentors, colleagues, and the farming community. Their encouragement and shared experiences have greatly enriched his understanding of sugarcane cultivation.

Driven by a sincere desire to give back to society, the author has compiled over 40 years of experience, research, and practical knowledge into this book. His goal is to provide farmers with reliable, scientific, and practical guidance that helps them achieve higher productivity, reduce cultivation costs, and improve their livelihoods while contributing to the sustainable growth of the sugarcane sector.