Sugarcane is a tall, tropical crop used to make sugar, jaggery and ethanol. It grows well in warm, humid climates.
In India, sugarcane is mainly grown in two regions: the subtropical north and the tropical south. The northern belt includes Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab, while the southern belt covers Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of cane in India, contributing almost half of the country's total production. The state benefits from favourable weather conditions and a well-established sugar industry.
The sugarcane prospers at temperatures between 20°C and 35°C and requires 75 to 150 cm of rain annually. Prefers fertile and well-drained soils and needs a lot of sunlight. A cold, dry season during ripening and harvesting is ideal.
Check Out| Which is the Largest Rubber Producing State in India? List of Rubber-Producing States in India
Top Sugarcane Producing States in India
Sugarcane is one of the most important cash crops grown in India. It gives jobs to more than ten lakh people, directly or indirectly. In India, sugarcane is grown in two main regions – tropical and subtropical.
Because of this, India is the second-largest sugarcane producer in the world. According to Agrideria India, here are the top 10 sugarcane-producing states in India:
| Rank | State | Production (in lakh tons) | Major Districts |
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 2252.2 | Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 1239.7 | Satara, Pune, Ahmednagar |
| 3 | Karnataka | 624.6 | Hassan, Tumkur, Chikmagalur |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 169.2 | Dindigul, Nilgiris, Erode |
| 5 | Gujarat | 146.9 | Navsari, Surat, Vadodara |
| 6 | Bihar | 120.6 | Muzaffarpur, Patna, Bhagalpur |
| 7 | Haryana | 88.6 | Faridabad, Rohtak, Karnal |
| 8 | Punjab | 76.4 | Jalandhar, Ludhiana |
| 9 | Uttarakhand | 37.6 | Haridwar |
| 10 | Andhra Pradesh | 31.2 | Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool |
1. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is the largest sugarcane-producing state in India. In 2022–23, it produced 2252.2 lakh tons of sugarcane. Major growing areas include Kanpur, Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Varanasi. The fertile land near the Ganga and Yamuna rivers supports sugarcane farming.
2. Maharashtra
Maharashtra ranks second in sugarcane production with 1239.7 lakh tons. The Deccan Plateau region has black soil, which is ideal for growing sugarcane. Important sugarcane-producing districts include Satara, Ahmednagar, and Pune.
3. Karnataka
Karnataka is the third-largest producer, with 624.6 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The main districts for sugarcane cultivation are Hassan, Tumkur, and Chikmagalur.
4. Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu produced 169.2 lakh tons of sugarcane in 2022–23. The crop grows well in districts like Erode, Thanjavur, Coimbatore, Dindigul, and Nilgiris.
5. Bihar
Bihar contributed 120.6 lakh tons of sugarcane in 2022–23. Main producing areas include Muzaffarpur, Patna, Bhagalpur, and the Champaran region.
6. Gujarat
Gujarat produced 146.9 lakh tons of sugarcane. Districts such as Navsari, Surat, and Saurashtra play a key role in sugarcane production. Vadodara and Bharuch also contribute.
Read On| Which State has the Longest Coastline in India? List of Indian States with the Longest Coastlines
7. Haryana
Haryana produced 88.6 lakh tons of sugarcane. Important districts are Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Sonipat, and Karnal.
8. Punjab
Punjab produced 76.4 lakh tons of sugarcane in 2022–23. The state has fertile alluvial soil and a strong irrigation system. Major producing districts include Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
9. Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh produced 31.2 lakh tons of sugarcane. The Godavari and Krishna rivers provide fertile land for growing sugarcane in districts like Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool.
10. Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand produced 37.6 Lakh tonnes of sugarcane in 2022–23. Haridwar is the leading sugar-growing district of the state.
Which State is the Largest Producer of Sugarcane in India?
Source: MahaGro
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of cane in India. In the year 2022–23, the state produced about 2252.2 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, making it the main producer of the country.
Fertile soil of the Ganga and Yamuna River plains, along with adequate climate and irrigation facilities, make Uttar Pradesh ideal for sugarcane cultivation. The main districts of sugarcane cultivation in Uttar Pradesh include Kanpur, Prayagraj, Lucknow and Varanasi.
What's Next| Which Country Has the Best and Most Powerful Air Defence System in the World?
