Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why is sugarcane sometimes burned before or after harvest?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Sugarcane
Field of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in St. George Parish, Barbados.
Sugarcane is sometimes burned before or after harvest for two primary reasons: to drive out rodents and snakes from the fields and to remove excess leaves and trash that can dull harvesting equipment blades.1
While this practice has historically been common, it is important to note that environmental concerns are increasingly leading many regions to transition toward harvesting whole, unburned cane.1