ICAR-SBI Unveils New Sugarcane Variety to Revitalize Farming in Tamil Nadu
In a significant move to enhance sugarcane cultivation, the ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI) based in Coimbatore recently showcased its newly released mid-late maturing variety, Co 18009. The event was organized in Kanjapalli village, located in Annur taluk, and aimed at addressing key challenges faced by farmers in the region.
Urging Adoption of Improved Varieties
Addressing farmers and extension officials at the event, Dr P Govindaraj, director of ICAR-SBI, emphasized the importance of adopting improved cane varieties such as Co 18009, Co 11015, and Co 14012. He noted that older varieties are losing productivity and becoming more susceptible to diseases, which negatively impacts farmers' income. Dr Govindaraj highlighted labour scarcity as a major issue and stressed that nearly 75% of sugarcane cultivation must be mechanized to ensure profitability.
Farmer Involvement and Support Initiatives
Dr Govindaraj announced plans to involve farmers directly in the breeding process, aiming to tailor varieties to local conditions. During the event, Co 18009 seeds and extension literature were distributed to participants. S Shanmugasundaram, vice-president of Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd, spoke about the factory's subsidy schemes for farmers and urged ICAR-SBI to develop more early-maturing varieties suited to the area.
Feedback and Field Demonstration
Dr D Puthira Prathap, principal scientist at ICAR-SBI, explained that the event was organized to collect farmers' feedback on Co 18009. The variety was demonstrated on a 1.9-acre plot managed by farmer Nivedha Duraisamy. She shared her positive experience with the 11-month-old crop, praising its non-flowering nature, low spininess, high tillering, multiple internodes, and excellent yield potential.
Restoring Confidence in Sugarcane Cultivation
Dr Govindaraj expressed hope that such innovations would restore confidence in sugarcane cultivation. Currently, sugarcane is grown on 940 acres in Coimbatore district, producing approximately 38,000 tonnes. This event underscored a push towards modern, high-yielding, and mechanized sugarcane farming practices in Tamil Nadu, aiming to boost agricultural sustainability and farmer livelihoods.
