Sustainability

Expanding Sustainability in Sugarcane Farming: From Waste to Resource: 

In addition to pressed mud, several other by-products of sugarcane processing are playing a key role in making the industry more sustainable in India. One major example is bagasse, the fibrous residue left after juice extraction, which is widely used as a renewable biofuel. Many sugar mills utilize bagasse to generate electricity, powering their operations and even supplying surplus energy to the local grid reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions. Molasses, another by-product, is used in India’s ethanol blending program, where ethanol is mixed with petrol to reduce oil imports and improve air quality. At the same time, water conservation efforts are gaining ground through the use of drip irrigation and precision water application, minimizing the heavy water demand traditionally associated with sugarcane. These innovations align with a broader circular economy model, in which all parts of the sugarcane plant are repurposed, whether for compost, biogas, animal feed, or fuel. Additionally, the application of compost and pressed mud helps enhance soil health and carbon sequestration, especially when combined with intercropping or cover cropping strategies. These practices represent a powerful shift toward a zero-waste, low-emission, and climate-resilient sugarcane sector in India.