Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.1, 37-44 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 37 Review and Progress Open Access Sustainability in Sugarcane Processing: Integrating Environmental and Economic Perspectives Tianxia Guo Biotechnology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author email: 3048511772@qq.com Field Crop, 2024 Vol.7, No.1 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0005 Received: 07 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 12 Feb., 2024 Published: 27 Feb., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Guo, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Guo T.X., 2024, Sustainability in sugarcane processing: integrating environmental and economic perspectives, Field Crop, 7(1): 37-44 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.7.0005) Abstract The primary goal of this research is to evaluate how integrating environmental and economic perspectives enhances sustainability in sugarcane processing. This study focuses on analyzing specific aspects of sustainability, including energy use, waste management, and economic efficiency, to understand their interconnections and collective impact on the sugarcane industry. It reveals significant environmental benefits from adopting sustainable practices in sugarcane processing. Key findings include a substantial reduction in water usage and carbon emissions, underscoring the positive impact of sustainable practices on environmental metrics. Economically, the implementation of sustainable technologies has led to notable cost savings, improved return on investment, and expansion into new markets, thereby enhancing the overall economic health of the industry. The study concludes that the integration of environmental and economic perspectives not only leads to improved sustainability in sugarcane processing but also offers dual benefits of environmental betterment and economic viability. These findings suggest that a cohesive approach in policy and practice could further enhance sustainability outcomes in the sugarcane industry, advocating for more comprehensive adoption of sustainable technologies and practices. Keywords Sugarcane sustainability; Environmental impact; Economic analysis; Sustainable technologies; Agricultural policy Sugarcane, a perennial grass native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia and Melanesia, has become one of the globe's most prolific crops, deeply entrenched in the agricultural economies of many countries. As a cornerstone of the agricultural sector, sugarcane not only provides the raw material for a significant portion of the world's sugar production but also serves as a vital source for biofuels, particularly ethanol, contributing to the energy matrix of nations such as Brazil. The global importance of sugarcane is underscored by its role in supporting livelihoods, contributing to food security, and its emerging use in a variety of bio-based products (Solomon et al., 2019). However, the intensification of sugarcane cultivation and processing has raised substantial concerns regarding sustainability. The environmental footprint of sugarcane processing is considerable, generating vast amounts of solid and liquid waste that, if not managed properly, can lead to detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health (Ungureanu et al., 2022). The sustainability of sugarcane cultivation itself is also under scrutiny, with issues such as soil erosion, water depletion, and the use of agrochemicals posing significant challenges. Moreover, the social implications of sugarcane production, including labor conditions and the potential displacement of food crops by energy crops, add complexity to the sustainability discourse. Recognizing these challenges, there is a growing need to adopt sustainable practices in sugarcane processing that harmonize environmental stewardship with economic viability. The valorization of waste and by-products through innovative technologies offers a pathway to a more circular bioeconomy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources, thereby reducing environmental impacts and enhancing economic outcomes. Furthermore, decision support systems and sustainability assessments are being developed to guide the sugarcane industry towards more sustainable production systems (Chico et al., 2022).
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