Impact of COVID-19 on Sugarcane Growers and Sugar Industry-Situational Assessment in Karnataka State

Girish A Chavadappanavar

Abstract: The Karnataka sugar industry, a significant player in the national economy, has faced many challenges in the course of its journey. The threat posed by the growing pandemic novel corona virus (COVID - 19), has been the most recent one and it is impacting sugar industry stakeholders and its integrated industries, not only in Karnataka, but all over the India. The entire value chain of the Karnataka sugar industry, viz., sugarcane, sugar, molasses, ethanol and their subsequent marketing and export, has been adversely affected from the spillover impacts. The major impacts of COVID - 19 on Karnataka sugar industry are discussed.

Keywords: COVID-19, Sugarcane, Sugar Industry