Sugarcane grows best in warm tropical and subtropical regions. Its growth and quality depend on key things like the weather, soil, water supply, and timely farming practices. Sugarcane is a very efficient plant, able to turn sunlight into a lot of biomass, usually producing about 60–70 tonnes per hectare each year.

Farmers usually grow sugarcane in two ways: 

• Plant crop: Grown from cut pieces of cane (called setts) or buds.
• Ratoon crop: New shoots grow back from the roots of the previous crop. This method saves money, matures faster, and can give good harvests for 4–5 cycles if managed well.

Conventional vs. Modern Sugarcane Planting Techniques

Traditional Planting Methods

• Surface Irrigation (Flood/Furrow): Common but wastes a lot of water through evaporation and runoff, and can cause soil erosion and pest problems
• Ratooning: Growing new crops from old roots saves time and money, but needs careful work like filling gaps, mulching, trimming stubble, and keeping soil healthy to prevent yield drop.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI)

A modern method where drip lines are placed 10–20 cm underground, sending water straight to the roots for better growth and less waste.

Benefits of SDI:

• Water Savings: Up to 50% reduction compared to surface methods
• Boosted Yields: Increases in sugarcane production by 40–60%
• Better Quality: Enhanced sugar content and fiber quality
• Lower Labor and Costs: Minimizes manual watering, allows mechanization of intercultural operations.
• Weed Reduction: Since moisture is localized, weed growth outside root zones diminishes.

Drip as a Multi-Use System

Drip irrigation doesn’t just give water. It can also:

• Supply fertilizers, growth boosters, and ripening agents.
• Apply pest and disease control (like Beauveria bassiana) to stop pests such as stem borers—cheaper and more accurate than spraying.
• Deliver soil enhancers like humic acid or mycorrhiza, which can increase yields by up to 23% and improve sugar quality.

Practical Steps for Farmers Adopting Drip Irrigation in Sugarcane 

Why Drip Irrigation Equals Greater Profitability 

• Favor subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) for large-scale operations; surface drip may suit smaller or deep‑tilled plots.
• Explore agrarian tech offerings- filters, valves, automation, and financing options, from providers like Netafim.
• Use expert tools like GrowSphere™ Crop Advisor for real-time irrigation support.
• Maintain good ratoon management to capitalize on cost savings and productivity from successive plant cycles.
• Leverage drip systems for holistic farm management not just watering, to include fertigation, pest control, and growth enhancement.
• See drip irrigation not merely as technology but a strategy to “Grow More with Less”: smarter, cost-efficient, sustainable yield maximization.

Conclusion

Drip irrigation is more than a watering method, it’s a complete farming solution for sugarcane. By delivering water and nutrients directly to the root zone, it saves up to 50% water, boosts yields by 40–60%, and improves crop quality. Whether you’re starting with a plant crop or managing ratoons, adopting subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) can help you grow healthier cane, cut costs, and ensure long-term soil health. With modern tools and good management, farmers can truly “grow more with less” and make sugarcane farming more profitable and sustainable.