Farmers have always been the backbone of our country. However, majority of Indian farmers depends almost entirely on the yearly monsoon for irrigation. Soaring temperatures due to climate change unable them to sow or harvest successfully. Poor soils, high cultivation costs and inefficient farming methods worsen the situation, leading to low productivity and uncertain incomes. Erratic weather patterns caused by climate change are making their risky livelihoods even more precarious.
Our intension at Simbhaoli is to help farmers to conserve and manage soil and water resources, improve crop yields and reduce cultivation costs - leading to higher incomes and fewer incidences of crop failure, making farming less risky and a more sustainable livelihood now and in the future.
The distinguishing features of our Distillery Units is that they comprise of molasses-based ethanol plants that employ automation, molecular de-hydration sieve technology, low cost production and enjoy full integration with the sugar manufacturing units. Most of the sugar we produce confines to EU grade levels. The result is energy conservation, optimal utilization of by-products, cost savings and most importantly, a product portfolio that includes speciality sugars, potable liquor, ethanol, power and organic manure. Furthermore, the Company has taken effective steps for the increase in the production of Ethanol at all of its Distillery Units, a green fuel in line with the 10% Ethanol Blending Program of the Government of India.The Company has also initiated production of Trust Liquid Hand Sanitizers & Disinfectants to help the nation, and especially its rural districts, combat the COVID – 19 Pandemic.
The field officers work closely with farmers at each stage of the crop cycle: soil and seed management, fertilizer and insecticide uses, ratoon management, selection of agri inputs, maintaining the proper balance between the early, mid and late ripening varieties and harvesting cycles.
We have initiated Inter and multi-cropping (growing of vegetables along with sugarcane). Sugarcane is being grown with wheat, potato, peas, garlic, cabbage, radish, onion, cucumber, okra, Indian apple gourd, mustard and marigold. This initiative is helping farmers increase land productivity, hedge risks against crop failure, enhance cane yield (up by 152 MT/hectare), replenish the nutrients in the soil and boost income (an additional income of Rs. 40,000 per hectare is quite common).
Another method we have initiated recently is drip irrigation on the surface and sub surface of ground. Drip irrigation has been initiated in Simbhaoli and Brijnathpur and has been installed in 50 Ha area. These methods has the potential to save water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either from above the soil surface or buried below the surface. This initiative helps farmers to place water directly into the root zone and minimize evaporation in command areas under Cane Development Program.
At Simbhaoli, the entire system of field survey planning, bonding, scheduling of supply tickets, procurement and delivery of the harvested crop and payments has been computerized. Payments are credited directly into the bank accounts of farmers, thereby ensuring a speedy and fair settlement of dues. Radio connectivity links the plants with the divisional offices and farmer service centres in the cane areas - providing farmers real-time information at their fingertips! The farmers can access information about their land holdings, cane varieties, supply tickets, payments and loan adjustment details as well. We are also promoting the latest technological advances amongst cane growers.