Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, May 21, 2026:- Under the ongoing campaign by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab, to promote the balanced use of fertilizers in crops, the Office of the Cane Commissioner Punjab, in collaboration with all cooperative and private sugar mills, has been running a special drive for the past month. Under this initiative, corner meetings (Nukkar meetings) were held simultaneously in 375 villages with the support of private and cooperative sugar mills across Punjab, motivating 3,956 sugarcane growers to use balanced fertilizers, especially urea, as per the recommended guidelines.
Sharing details about this campaign, Cane Commissioner Punjab, Dr. Amrik Singh, stated that under the special instructions of the Punjab Government, 1,264 corner meetings have been conducted so far in this drive, witnessing the participation of around 32,589 sugarcane growers. He explained that since sugarcane is a long-duration crop, it requires a higher amount of nutrients compared to regular crops like wheat, paddy, maize, etc. PAU Ludhiana has recommended 135 kg of urea per acre for the freshly sown (plant) sugarcane crop and 195 kg of urea per acre for the ratoon crop. However, sugarcane growers are facing several challenges due to applying more than the recommended dosage.
He noted that it has come to light that sugarcane farmers are using fertilizers, particularly urea, in excess of the recommendations, which is leading to various problems. It has often been observed that even during September, when the canes are fully formed, farmers continue to apply urea. This leads to late tillering and new shoots at the base, which do not convert into millable canes and instead end up reducing the weight of the pre-existing formed canes. He added that the excessive use of urea causes the sugarcane crop to lodge (fall) more easily, increases pest attacks, and adversely affects sugar recovery. Therefore, balanced fertilizers must be used to achieve higher yield and sugar recovery. He mentioned that the sowing of spring sugarcane is almost over. Apart from urea, the use of phosphatic and potash fertilizers is recommended based on soil testing. If there is a phosphorus deficiency according to the soil test report, 75 kg of Single Superphosphate (SSP) fertilizer should be applied per acre.
He further stated that as per recommendations, after the germination of the freshly sown spring sugarcane crop and before the first irrigation, the first installment of 65 kg of urea should be applied along the crop lines, and the remaining 65 kg of urea should be applied in May-June. Similarly, for the ratoon crop, 195 kg of urea per acre should be applied in three equal installments: the first installment of 65 kg of urea during hoeing or tilling, the second installment in April, and the third installment in May.