Sugarcane harvesting by machine reaches a capacity of 100 tons/day in Tan Ky.
Xuan Hoang•December 6, 2024 08:53
Sugarcane is harvested by machine, cut close to the root, and the tops and impurities are ground into a fine powder and spread back onto the field. The harvested sugarcane is transported directly to the factory, saving time and ensuring consistent weight and minimal loss of sugar content.
Clip: Xuan HoangFor the 2024-2025 sugarcane crop season, Song Con Sugarcane Joint Stock Company has nearly 6,000 hectares of sugarcane raw materials in the districts of Tan Ky, Do Luong, Yen Thanh, Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, and Con Cuong, with Tan Ky district having the most, at over 4,500 hectares. From November 26th, the company began purchasing sugarcane from farmers, officially starting the new crushing season. (In the photo: Harvesting sugarcane raw materials in the fields of Nghia Dong commune (Tan Ky). Photo: Xuan Hoang)This year, Song Con Sugar Company continues to provide sugarcane harvesting machines to farmers, aiming to solve labor issues, speed up production, and reduce costs. Photo: Xuan HoangHarvesting sugarcane by machine is very fast and consistent, cutting close to the base, with the tops being finely ground and spread back onto the field. The sugarcane stalks are also cut into lengths of about 20cm. The harvested sugarcane is transported directly to the factory, saving time and, importantly, ensuring consistent weight and minimal loss of sugar content. Photo: Xuan HoangSugarcane farmers say that harvesting 1 hectare of sugarcane, equivalent to about 70-80 tons, requires dozens of people cutting the sugarcane in a single day. Of course, it's not easy to hire dozens of people at once, so harvesting 1 hectare of sugarcane usually takes 2-3 days. This lengthy harvesting process affects the quality of the sugarcane, reducing its weight and sugar content. Meanwhile, 1 hectare of sugarcane harvested by machine takes less than a day to be transported to the factory. (Photo: Xuan Hoang)When the truck loaded with sugarcane is full and heads straight to the factory, another truck immediately takes its place. This continues, with each harvesting machine operating at full capacity for a full day. Photo: Xuan HoangThe sugarcane harvester has a maximum capacity of 100 tons of sugarcane per day. During operation, a truck carrying sugarcane runs parallel to the cutting machine, collecting each cut sugarcane stalk and dividing it into evenly sized portions. Behind the cutting machine, a layer of finely chopped sugarcane tops and by-products is discharged. (Photo: Xuan Hoang)Mr. Nguyen Ba Quy, Deputy Director of Song Con Sugar Company, said: This year, the company is purchasing sugarcane from farmers at the field price of 1,120,000 VND/ton for sugarcane with 10 CCS or more; 1,080,000 VND/ton for sugarcane with 9 to under 10 CCS; and 1,045,000 VND/ton for sugarcane with a sugar content below 9 CCS. Compared to last year, the price is only slightly lower due to the decrease in market sugar prices. However, during the first 10 days of the harvest season (from November 26th to December 6th), the company increased the purchase price by 30,000 VND/ton. (In the photo: Sugarcane being measured for sugar content at the factory before being used in production. Photo: Xuan Hoang)To prepare for the new crushing season, Song Con Sugar Corporation has proactively arranged workers and engineers to maintain, service, and repair machinery and production lines, ensuring a capacity of 3,300 tons per day. Notably, the company recently invested in installing a large-capacity power turbine from India, providing sufficient electricity for the factory's operation, replacing the smaller turbines used previously. (In the photo: Sugar production line of Song Con Sugar Corporation. Photo: Xuan Hoang)
