SUGARCANE

1. Recommended Variety

Tebu Kuning (sugarcane juice)

2. Site Selection

Sugarcane grows on a wide variety of soil types but does well on sandy loam. In the absence of
irrigation, a well distributed rainfall of 125 – 200 cm per annum is ideal. Three to five months dry
season with less than 5 cm per month facilitates ripening and efficient preparatory tillage work. A
well-marked dry season favours ratooning.

3. Land Preparation

Optimum tillage is essential for good germination of sugarcane setts and subsequently for
satisfactory growth of the crop.

When a piece of land is designated for sugarcane cultivation, it is necessary to clear forest and
undergrowth and to remove the stumps and timber before proceeding to actual land preparation.
Land preparation is carried out during transitional period between wet and dry months with
appropriate scheduling for planting. Land is prepared by various combination of ploughing,
harrowing and rotortilling, depending on the condition of the land.

Normally, land preparation starts with two rounds of ploughing to expose the top soil and to break up
the large clods. The frequency and the depth of ploughing vary according to the soil conditions. For
lighter soil, it is necessary to plough to a depth of 10 – 20 cm, while a minimum of 30 cm is desired
for a heavier soil. For juice cane production, the land is ploughed once to a depth of 20 – 25 cm.
4. Planting material

Use disease free planting material from immature canes 5 – 7 months old. The canes should be cut
into small setts each containing 3 – 4 buds. The upper, immature part of the cane can also be used
for planting. Cover canes for planting lightly with small trash for a few days before planting. This
practice improves germination.

5. Planting/Transplanting

Insert setts in the soil to a depth of 15 – 20 cm leaving about 5 – 10 cm above the soil. Press the soil
firmly. The planting distant is 1 m X 2 m. Such an arrangement should accommodate 5,000 points
per hectare.

6. Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer application for first crop and ratoon

Type of fertilizer Rate of fertilizer Method of application Time of application

Sulphate of Amonia ( 1 ) 650 kg/ha Fertilizer mix with top soil Basal dressing
and placed in the planting
hole.

( 2 ) 650 kg/ha Broadcasting around the 2 months after planting

plant.
Sulphate of Amonia ( 3 ) 650 kg/ha Broadcasting around the 10 months after first
plant. harvesting.
Sulphate of Amonia ( 4 ) 650 kg/ha Broadcasting around the 10 months after second
plant. harvesting.

Nitrophoska green 650 kg/ha

7. Production Cost Estimates

Variety : Tebu Kuning (sugarcane juice)

Density : 5,000 cuttings or setts/ha.
Planting distant : 1 m X 2 m
Production acreage : 1 hectare
Maturing : 8 – 10 months

Type of preparation/ Family labour Total cost

Cost ( RM )
material Man Day*** Cost ( RM ) ( RM )
Planting material* 1,000.00 - - 1,000.00

Site preparation and beds - 20 300.00 300.00

Planting - 30 450.00 450.00

Manuring** 2,600.00 12 180.00 2,780.00
Weeding and removing
30 450.00 450.00
leaves

Chemical ( weedicide,
200.00 6 90.00 290.00
insecticide & fungicide )

Harvesting - 60 900.00 900.00

Total Production Cost 3,800.00 158 2,370.00 6,170.00

*Planting material @ RM200.00/1,000 cuttings

**Sulphate of ammonia/Nitrophoska Green @ RM2,000.00 per ton
***1 man day = RM15.00