Abstract

Cane processing is one of the traditional forest based industries which provides livelihood to socially and economically weaker sections of the society. Cane industry in south India is concentrated in the three states viz. Kerala, Karnataka and Goa. It mainly consists of co-operative societies and private units, and uses primitive labour intensive techniques of production. In Karnataka and Goa, forests provide majority of raw material while in Kerala imports constitute major share. Declining raw material supply and escalation of costs necessitated high investments for importing canes. Present study examines the economics of cane processing in three states in terms of systems of production, raw materials supply, labour, price changes and profitability