The Looming Crisis in the Sugar Industry: An Emergency Call for Varietal Balance in Subtropical India

Abstract

The adoption of sugarcane variety Co 0238 marked a turning point in India’s varietal improvement journey. As a breakthrough in breeding, it led to unprecedented gains in national productivity and sugar recovery, setting new benchmarks for performance and reshaping the criteria for varietal selection across the country. Its rapid adoption across the major sugarcane-growing states in Northern India was a testament to its success and achievement. However, this success led to over-exploitation of the variety, with widespread cultivation beyond its recommended zones and without adherence to biosecurity protocols, resulting in extensive monoculture and associated risks. These factors, compounded by institutional inertia and lack of a robust, healthy seed programme, undermined the resilience of the sugar industry and disrupted its previously sustained pace of productivity and profitability. The breakdown of the variety due to red rot, possibly influenced by the Vertifolia Effect, led to a classic ‘boom and bust’ cycle, reminiscent of previous varietal collapses following monoculture practices. This article revisits the journey of Co 0238, not to assign any blame, but to learn valuable lessons for the future of a sustainable sugar industry. It highlights the importance of viewing varietal transitions as strategic shifts that bolster resilience, rather than mere replacements. By embracing genetic diversity, timely supply of pathogen-free seed material, a well-coordinated and well-resourced national clean seed propagation system, and science-driven decision-making, the sugar industry can mitigate similar crises and ensure long-term sustainability.