Question

Explain the main reason to set up a sugar mill near the sugarcane fields.

Answer 1

Hint:The location of industries depends on the availability of raw material, power resources, capital, availability of skilled labour, means of transportation, climate etc. The raw material is the main component of any industry. These are often bulky or perishable, so the location for setting up the industry is determined in particular with respect to the nature of the raw materials.

Complete answer:
Sugarcane is the core component of sugar mill which is quite heavy, weight-losing and highly perishable. It contains sucrose which is the main constituent of sugar production, but as the sugarcane is harvested, it begins to lose its sucrose content. That's why sugarcane cannot be stored for long. Also, it is not easy to transport it over long distances due to its cumbersome nature. Any increase in haulage cost would raise the production cost exorbitantly and sugarcane may dry up on the way. Thus sugar mills are established near sugarcane fields.

India is the world's largest producer of sugarcane and second largest following Cuba. The sugar industry is concentrated in two major areas. One comprises Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab in north and the other that of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh in south. Mostly sugarcane industries are operated by corporate hands as it is seasonal in nature.
There are numerous challenges in the sugar industry, such as its seasonality, lack of innovation in production methods, transportation issues, etc.
Hence the major reason for establishing sugar mills near sugarcane farms is the highly perishable nature of sugarcane.

Note:Sucrose is an important component for sugar production. It's highly perishable nature necessitates the establishment of an industry in the vicinity of sugar cane growing areas.