Abstract

The sugar industry stands as one of India's most prominent and rapidly expanding manufacturing sectors, with Maharashtra leading in production growth. As of December 2022, India’s sugar output reached 82.1 lakh tonnes - an increase of 5.1% over the previous year - highlighting the sector’s robust performance even before accounting for ethanol-related diversions. Beyond its economic contributions, the establishment of sugar factories in rural areas catalyzes socio-economic development by fostering ancillary activities such as dairies, poultries, irrigation schemes, and community services including healthcare, education, and cultural initiatives. This diversification drives rural industrialization and employment generation. In parallel, the integration of Information Technology (IT) has revolutionized agricultural practices within the sugar industry. Technologies such as RFID, smart sensors, IP cameras, and temperature monitoring systems are increasingly deployed to enhance farm management. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) offers a unified framework to connect these decentralized systems, enabling smarter, data-driven agriculture. Precision agriculture (PA), supported by GPS, GIS, and remote sensing (RS), further empowers stakeholders with spatial and non-spatial data for optimized resource use and yield forecasting. Artificial Intelligence (AI) adds another transformative layer, enabling real-time tracking, automated harvesting, and advanced analytics through drones and agricultural robots. These innovations facilitate weed detection, crop quality assessment, and yield estimation, positioning AI as a cornerstone of future-ready sugarcane farming. Collectively, these technological advancements promise a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive sugar industry - benefiting farmers, workers, and rural communities alike.

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