BELAGAVI: To improve soil health and promote sustainable farming, the agriculture department in collaboration with sugar factories has launched an innovative project to convert sugarcane trash into organic fertiliser.
Currently, sugarcane is cultivated on around 7.45 lakh hectares across the state. After harvest, farmers often burn millions of tonnes of leftover trash, a practice that destroys soil fertility, kills essential microorganisms, and harms the environment. The new initiative encourages farmers to reuse this waste material instead of burning it.
Under the programme, 3,000 hectares of farmland across five districts have been selected for implementation. So far, 114 sugarcane growers have been trained on composting techniques to transform cane residue into organic manure.
The joint effort by the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments and local sugar factories aims to enhance soil fertility, increase crop yields and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers. The use of trash-based organic compost not only supports microbial activity, but also improves water efficiency and reduces weed control expenses.
Every year, nearly 1.30 lakh acres of sugarcane crop in Karnataka are affected by pest infestations, leading to higher input costs. Reusing the trash for organic fertiliser is expected to reduce such losses and restore soil productivity. For Belagavi and Bagalkot districts, 2,000 hectares have been earmarked for the pilot project. Farmers in 114 select villages have already received hands-on training, while assistance is being provided for composting equipment and machinery.
HD Kolekar, Deputy director, Agriculture department, Belagavi, said, “This innovative campaign to reuse sugarcane trash is being implemented in partnership with sugar factories. Hundreds of farmers have been trained, and the initiative is under way across five districts. In Belagavi district alone, the target area is 1,300 hectares.”