A Modern Farmer's Success: Sartaj Khan's Sugarcane Farm in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Innovative Sugarcane Farming Proves profitable for UP Farmer Sartaj Khan: Achieving Crores in Earnings as Recounted by GFBN
Sartaj Khan, a farmer from Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has transformed sugarcane farming into a profitable business with the adoption of modern techniques and innovative practices. His farm, "Shahid Farms," is now a source of inspiration for thousands of farmers in the region.
Sartaj Khan's story demonstrates that adopting modern techniques, the right crop varieties, and mixed cropping methods can make farming profitable. He practices mixed cropping, cultivating crops like mustard, cauliflower, cabbage, wheat, gram, and peas alongside sugarcane.
Modern Sugarcane Farming Techniques
To achieve high yield and profitability, Sartaj Khan employs a range of modern techniques:
- Improved Seed Varieties: Sartaj Khan uses high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane varieties developed specifically for UP’s agro-climatic conditions. Varieties such as Co 0238, Co 86032, 13235, 0118, 14201, and 16202 are among those he cultivates.
- Soil Testing and Nutrient Management: Regular soil health analysis and balanced fertilization using the right proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients like zinc and boron help ensure optimal plant growth.
- Land Preparation and Crop Geometry: Proper land leveling, use of mechanized plowing, and adopting recommended planting geometry (typically 90 cm inter-row spacing and 30-45 cm intra-row spacing) contribute to efficient water and nutrient use.
- Advanced Planting Techniques: Sartaj Khan uses tissue culture or sett planting for faster and healthier cane establishment. He also plants at the appropriate time to utilize favorable climatic conditions.
- Efficient Irrigation Methods: Drip irrigation or furrow irrigation helps enhance water use efficiency, while scheduling irrigation based on crop water requirement and soil moisture monitoring reduces water wastage.
- Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM): Regular monitoring for common pests and diseases, use of biopesticides, and timely fungicide applications ensure healthy plant growth.
- Weed Management: Timely mechanical weeding or use of selective herbicides and mulching with crop residues help suppress weed growth and conserve soil moisture.
- Use of Farm Machinery: Tractors, planters, and harvesters help reduce labor costs and increase efficiency. Precision farming tools, such as GPS for field mapping and variable rate fertilizer application, further enhance productivity.
- Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling: Harvesting at the right maturity stage and proper handling and transport of stalks to sugar mills help maximize sugar recovery.
- Government Schemes and Supportive Policies: Sartaj Khan leverages subsidies and schemes from ICAR and state agricultural departments for machinery, quality inputs, and training. He also participates in farmer producer organizations (FPOs) for better market access and price realization.
A Model for Success
By combining improved seed varieties, balanced nutrient and water management, mechanized operations, integrated pest control, and timely harvesting, Sartaj Khan is maximizing sugarcane yield and profitability. These modern techniques reduce input waste, improve crop health, and enhance overall production efficiency, ensuring sustainable profits in the competitive sugarcane sector of Uttar Pradesh.
Sartaj Khan's farm, "Shahid Farms," now stands as a role model and source of inspiration for thousands of farmers. With a total of 70 acres of land, he cultivates sugarcane on 50 acres, earning more than one crore rupees annually. His farm produces approximately 720 quintals per acre, with around 7,20,000 buds per acre.
Sartaj Khan considers farming not just a means of livelihood, but a form of social service and a source of inspiration. He recently became a part of the "Global Farmer Business Network," and his farm is well-known in the surrounding area.
For those interested in learning more about modern farming techniques or accessing these inputs and trainings in Shahjahanpur, feel free to reach out for further assistance.
The first publication of this article was on 17 May 2025, 10:41 IST.
Sartaj Khan's farm, "Shahid Farms," not only earns more than one crore rupees annually from the sale of sugarcane but also serves as a model for adopting modern business practices. By adopting techniques such as tissue culture planting, precision farming tools, and improved seed varieties, Sartaj Khan ensures his farm remains competitive in Uttar Pradesh's sugarcane sector, demonstrating that finance and business strategies can play a crucial role in the success of modern farming.
