Gangamai Industries has partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra to become the first private sugar mill in Maharashtra to adopt artificial intelligence and satellite technology for planning sugarcane harvesting. This joint initiative brings advanced tools into the agricultural space, focusing on improving efficiency and outcomes for farmers in the region.
Mahindra supported the project with AI systems and satellite-based monitoring tools designed to track crop health and predict sugar content. Using multispectral satellite data and weather inputs, the system analyzes the health of sugarcane fields and forecasts sugar recovery with an accuracy of up to 95%, verified through weekly lab testing at Gangamai’s facility.
The approach has led to better planning, increased sugar recovery, and reduced processing costs. As part of the trial, around 1,500 farmers’ fields were observed for early signs of pest issues and water shortages, allowing timely intervention and better crop results.
For the 2024-25 season, Gangamai recorded notable outcomes. The mill processed over 8.8 lakh metric tons of sugarcane with a sugar recovery rate exceeding 10%. The use of AI and satellite tracking provided early pest and disease alerts, helping farmers take preventive steps. These results mark a strong step toward data-driven and sustainable farming practices in the sugar industry.
Beyond technology, Gangamai has also launched farmer outreach programs to promote awareness about ways to improve sugar yield and secure better prices under the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) framework. Mahindra, which has worked with sugar mills for over four years, continues to lead in applying precision farming techniques—analyzing crop maturity using satellite images and leaf photosynthesis patterns—to time harvesting for peak sugar content and better farmer earnings.
