A different drought, August 25 advocates a fresh approach to tackle drought. We have adequate buffer stocks of both wheat and rice to ensure that the impact of drought is minimised and with efficient distribution and control, the situation can be managed.
The situation in respect of sugar is more serious. Since India is second-largest producer of sugar, the availability of sugar even in the international markets could be a serious problem and India’s import will send sugar prices in international markets, skyrocketing. Some trials were conducted in Tamil Nadu for producing sugar from beet. To begin with, beet has shorter crop cycle, better sugar recovery and requires less than 60 per cent of the water needed by cane. The matter needs to be examined with an open mind and the results of various trials conducted should be published so that the merits of beet sugar over cane sugar are evaluated.
M M Gurbaxani.Bangalore