Sugarcane no longer a sweet option for Andhra Pradesh farmers; cultivation area recedes by over 60% in 10 years

Andhra Pradesh’s sugarcane cultivation has declined sharply since 2014, dropping from 1.25 lakh hectares to 40,000 hectares in 2024. Farmers blame high input costs, labor shortages, and the closure of sugar mills. Many growers have shifted to alternative crops like paddy and maize. The state now faces a severe reduction in sugarcane production and related industries.