Energy utilization in sugarcane production in North India

Average physical and monetary data on sugarcane crops, planted or ratooned, from 128 farms covering 122 ha in North India were transformed into energy equivalents and assessed for energy balance. Farm manure and irrigation consumed major shares. Energy inputs and yields were greatly reduced but energy utilization doubled in ratooned sugarcane. Average energy output-input ratios were about 0.8 and 2.3 for sugar and total biomass, respectively.