MH delegation visits Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research

The sweetness of Sugar has suddenly increased due to Government emphasis on the sugarcane farmers and the pending dues to them through the sugar mills. Even today Hon1ble Prime Minister is also interacting with the 150 delegates of the farmers growing sugarcane.

In view of the importance of the sugar cane, the delegation of the Maharashtra Cooperative Sugar Mills visited Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow to review the factors responsible for the highest ever production of sugarcane and sugar in Uttar Pradesh.

Recently, a 14-member delegation of Rena Sahkari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Latur led by Shri Trimbakrao Bhise, MLA, Maharashtra State Assembly visited ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow to review the factors responsible for the highest ever production of sugarcane and sugar in Uttar Pradesh. The delegation included Shri Sarjrao J. More, Vice Chairman; Shri Chandra Kant Patil, Director and other Board of Directors/members of the mill.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. S.N. Singh, Principal Scientist, Division of Production & Nodal Officer, ICAR-IISR Biological Control Centre, Pravaranagar (Maharashtra). At the outset, Dr. Singh welcomed the Chief Guest along with the other members of the delegation.

Dr. S.N. Singh presented a brief presentation on the current sugarcane cultivation scenario in Maharashtra and presented in detail the contingency plan for sustaining sugarcane and sugar productivity under moisture stress condition in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. He informed that Uttar Pradesh has surpassed national average sugarcane yield and state recorded 72.4 t/ha cane yield during 2016-17. Even by March 31, 2018, Uttar Pradesh by producing 105.13 lakh tonnes of sugar has surpassed Maharashtra with 101.30 lakh tonnes.

This year, the country has attained a new height in sugar production by producing about 30 million tonnes. He apprised low productivity of sugarcane in sub-tropical India is low due to the high temperature coupled with desiccating winds coinciding germination and formative phases while low temperature at maturity, uni-modal and erratic distribution of rainfall, water stress during tillering/formative phase and water logging during elongation in eastern parts of subtropical region, severity worsen under anaerobic conditions for nutrient uptake and outbreak of pests and diseases, Small holding size of sugarcane farmers and delayed sugarcane planting owing to rice-wheat system.

Dr. D.R. Malaviya, Head, Division of Crop Improvement narrated the delegation about the highlights of most prevalent varieties being cultivated in sub-tropical India. He recommended to use newly developed improved varieties of sugarcane to reap the higher production of sugarcane and cautioned not to use the varieties recommended for sub-tropical India in Maharashtra.

Dr. V.P. Singh, Head, Division of Crop Production suggested the improved package of practices including proper selection of appropriate variety, sowing time, sowing method, doses of fertilizers and weed management. He emphasized on proper ratoon management to get the higher yield. Dr. A.K. Singh, Principal Scientist, Division of Crop Production suggested to adopt other crops of oilseeds, pulses and vegetables etc., ain the intercropping system to earn mid-season income.

Dr. S.K. Duttamajumder, Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology) highlighted about the treatment of seed cane through MHAT and fungicides to save the crop from diseases. Dr. Radha Jain, Head, Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry elaborated the benefits of bud-chip technology and post-harvest management technology to increase sugar recovery.

Dr. M.R. Singh, Head, Division of Crop Protection informed about the major pests, infesting sugarcane and suggested various chemical, mechanical, agronomical, biological and legal methods of major insect-pests control.

The delegation also visited Technology Park of the Institute and various laboratories of the Institute. The delegation appreciated the efforts made by the Institute’s Scientists for developing improved farm machinery for mechanization of sugarcane cultivation.