Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.1, 17-26 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 19 mechanized harvesting requires higher initial investment, due to its high efficiency, it can reduce labor costs in the long term, especially in large-scale planting. In contrast, manual harvesting has low initial investment but high labor costs because it requires a large number of manpower to perform heavy manual labor. Equipment maintenance is another cost of mechanized harvesting. Although modern sugarcane harvesting is highly mechanized, regular maintenance and occasional overhauls still require a considerable expenditure, which has a significant impact on the total cost (Elwakeel et al., 2022). Mechanized methods generally outperform manual methods in terms of yield and productivity. Mechanized harvesting can be carried out continuously, greatly increasing the processing area and total output per unit time. However, this efficiency may come at the expense of crop selectivity, which may sometimes result in a mixed harvest of mature and immature sugarcane, affecting the quality of the final product. The choice between hand harvesting or mechanized harvesting is not only a technical choice but an economic and social decision that involves cost-benefit analysis and long-term sustainability considerations for agricultural practices. 2.2 Impact on sugar recovery rate When considering the socio-economic impacts of sugarcane cultivation, focus is on sugar recovery, socio-economic effects, employment opportunities, and impacts on small-scale farmers and rural economies. Sugar recovery is a key indicator of sugarcane processing efficiency. Research has shown that mechanized harvesting can improve sugar recovery because it reduces losses during sugarcane harvesting and transportation (Calderan-Rodrigues et al., 2021). However, if the harvesting process is not properly controlled, mechanized harvesting may also reduce sugar recovery due to improper technical operations. Socioeconomic effects cover many aspects, from labor costs to production efficiency. Mechanized harvesting reduces the direct need for manpower, but increases the need for specialized skills and equipment maintenance. The impact of this shift on the labor market is complex, especially in areas that have traditionally relied on manual labor. The changes in employment opportunities are particularly significant. Mechanized harvesting may result in initial employment losses as machines replace some manual labor. However, it also creates new employment opportunities, such as machinery operations and maintenance positions. This requires new skills and training for workers to adapt to modern agricultural needs. For small-scale farmers, the high cost of mechanized harvesting may pose a barrier to entry. Small-scale farms may struggle to afford expensive machinery and maintenance, which limits their ability to increase production efficiency (Zan et al., 2020). This may therefore exacerbate inequalities in agricultural production, affecting the economic stability and growth of small-scale farmers. The impact on the rural economy is also multifaceted. Mechanization can increase sugarcane yields and efficiency, increasing overall economic output in rural areas. However, without appropriate policies and support measures, mechanization processes may cause economic pressure on communities that rely on traditional agricultural methods. 3 Environmental Impact of Sugarcane Analysis 3.1 Impact of sugarcane cultivation on ecosystems When analyzing the impact of sugarcane cultivation on ecosystems, aspects such as biodiversity, soil health and water resources management are mainly considered. The impact of sugarcane cultivation on biodiversity is significant. Large-scale sugar cane cultivation has led to massive loss of natural habitats, particularly in areas rich in biodiversity, such as Brazil's Atlantic Forest and the coral reefs of the Gulf of Mexico. These areas have experienced extensive deforestation to meet the needs of sugarcane cultivation, thus severely affecting local biodiversity (Beatriz et al., 2024). The impact of sugarcane cultivation on soil health cannot be ignored. Large-area monoculture cultivation, especially when mechanized harvesting is used, often leads to soil structural damage and soil compaction, thereby affecting soil water permeability and microbial activity. This soil degradation not only reduces farmland productivity but also affects the long-term sustainability of the soil. Water management is another important environmental factor affected by sugarcane cultivation. Sugarcane is an extremely water-intensive crop. In some
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