It is reported by Bangkok Post.

«The government previously expected the amount of sugar cane would exceed 100 tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year», — said Panuwat Triyangkunsri, secretary-general of the OCSB.

The high cost of sugar cane farming was also blamed for the output not reaching expectations, while other farmers decided to grow cassava instead due to this crop attracting higher prices. 

All the sugar cane was supplied to 57 sugar factories nationwide between Dec 1 last year to April 6 for crushing. 

Of the 93.8 million tonnes, 63.1 million tonnes was fresh sugar cane, making up 67.2% of the total. The remaining 30.7 million tonnes, or 32.7%, was burned sugar cane.

Sugar from the crushing process stood at 117.4 kilogrammes per tonne of cane. 

The OCSB is aware that the amount of burned sugar cane in the 2022-23 crop year remained high despite the state ban on harvesting the plants by burning. 

Many farmers prefer the burning method as it is easier than harvesting by cutting the fresh sugar cane, which requires a number of workers. 

Sugar cane plantations currently lack labour, and they mostly rely on migrant workers. 

Burning sugar cane has caused concerns over air pollution.

"The government is trying to curb the level of this harmful dust that affects the environment and human health," said Mr Panuwat. 

The OCSB is helping the state deal with this problem by offering low-interest loans to farmers, so they can buy harvesting machines.