Farmer Vs Farmer

The key to success of EID Parry in the sugar industry has been the close relationship it shares with the farmers, which has been nurtured over the last four decades. This relationship has further strengthened with the recently conducted overseas visit to Thailand to share global best practices with the farmers. This is the first time a South India-based sugar company has undertaken such an ardent initiative.

In an entirely unique way, EID Parry sent across an overseas delegation of farmers and sugarcane engineers with the agenda of learning and sharing best harvesting practices, and to understand different developmental activities from the progressive cane growers in the Thailand region. The visit to Mitr Phol Sugar Factory and its R&D division was specifically organised to enrich the knowledge of sugarcane farmers by enabling their understanding of the different sugarcane agricultural methods, cane development activities, improved agronomic practices, cane transport systems, geographical information systems and processes and different technology being used. The delegation of 10 members comprised two progressive cane growers from each sugar mill of EID Parry and the head of cane operations of the Nellikuppam and Pettavaithalai sugar factories.

Thailand, the gateway to South East Asia is a paradise for tropical fruits. The country's economy depends mainly on the agro industry and while textiles, garments, beverages, cement, jewels, electric appliances and electronic components contribute significantly. Predominantly, Thailand grows tropical and semi-tropical agricultural crops. Sugarcane is one of the most important crops and is extensively cultivated in the northern, eastern, north-east and central regions.

The sugar industry in Thailand operates in a dissimilar fashion compared to India. The industry has evolved after an entire changeover from monopolistic to a more co-operative or socialistic approach. Currently, the Farmer Association and Agricultural co-operative determine promotion, sugarcane pricing and selling. The pricing is bargained, agreed upon and a contract is drawn up between the farmer and the association at least a month prior to the sugar production season. Government intervention is minimal. Mitr Phol has set an example by its extensive research and development.

Mitr Phol Sugar Corporation is the oldest, largest mill and the leader in sugar and sugar by-products in Thailand. The Mitr Phol Group has a daily production capacity of over 80,000 tons of sugarcane, which results in 4,000 tons of raw sugar, 1,800 tons of white sugar, 2,700 tons of refined sugar and 4,000 tons of molasses for the domestic and export markets. The original mill has the capacity to crush 25,000 tons of sugarcane a day, which is acquired through a force of 1,200 contract farmers. In a year, only 65 days are utilised for crushing work and to produce raw sugars in bulk. Based on need, raw sugar is converted to refined, super refined, white sugars, etc. Sugar is packed in different weights ranging from 6 grams to 1 ton and also based on various flavours. Speciality sugar for tea and coffee are produced separately.

Mitr Phol has an extensive R&D division, which takes care of field and mill practices. Cane transport, loading and unloading of cane, cane payment, cane sampling and remote sensing techniques to monitor and estimate the cane crushing capacity are some of the unique practices that have been implemented with the help of research. In the field practice, as termed by Mitr Phol, studies relevant to the agricultural land like sugar cane varieties, agronomic practices and cane harvesting are being conducted.

For the EID Parry delegation, the method of obtaining maximum yield by utilising minimum fertilisers and water, extensive R&D to study sugar mill practices and cultivation were an eye opener. The spotlessly clean factory was the most distinguishing factor. As Anbazhagan, a sugarcane farmer from Pettaivaithalai, rightly commented, "While we went around the plant, we could only see the sugarcane and sugar packets." Certain people related aspects like bexclusive transportation facility for farmers, special areas for vehicle parking, full fledged divisional office, house keeping, safety aspects and many more initiatives made quite an impression on the farmers. This visit has definitely infused enthusiasm and energy to implement new and improvised methods of sugarcane cultivation and production.