In a major boost for sugarcane farmers battling crop disease, the Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research (UPCSR) has officially launched ten new sugarcane varieties engineered to resist the devastating red rot infection. This initiative directly addresses the severe outbreaks caused by a virulent strain of red rot in the popular CO-0238 variety, which led to significant financial losses for cultivators in recent years.
A Decade-Long Solution to "Sugarcane Cancer"
Often termed the cancer of sugarcane, red rot has been a persistent nightmare for farmers, especially in the fertile Terai belt and parts of western Uttar Pradesh. The newly introduced varieties are the result of extensive, 10-year field trials focused on both disease resistance and productivity. Senior scientist and nodal officer Sanjay Pathak confirmed that these varieties have demonstrated impressive yields, potentially reaching up to 1,000 quintals per hectare.
Strategic Seed Distribution and Strict Quality Control
The rollout plan for the new seeds is multi-pronged. The initial supply will go to sugar mill farms. Furthermore, in a significant move to empower rural communities, the cane development councils will distribute the seed to approximately 3,800 women's self-help groups across villages. These groups will raise single-bud saplings, promoting decentralized cultivation.
To safeguard this critical intervention, the state sugarcane administration has clamped down with stringent regulatory norms for seed producers. Uttar Pradesh Sugar and Cane Commissioner Ministhy S revealed that 2,230 out of 2,823 registered seed producer farmers had their registrations cancelled after failing technical scrutiny. She emphasized that violations of the Seed Act could lead to financial penalties and even imprisonment, measures designed to prevent manipulation.
Ensuring Genetic Purity and Future Security
Commissioner Ministhy S issued clear directives for maintaining the integrity of the seed supply chain. The relevant department must ensure strict compliance with production norms to preserve genetic purity and protect seeds from insects and local infections. She also highlighted mandatory quarantine protocols for seed cane sourced from other states or countries, adding that production of foreign varieties would require prior approval from the cane commissioner.
This comprehensive strategy—combining scientifically-developed, high-yield crops, community-based distribution, and rigorous quality enforcement—aims to build a more resilient sugarcane sector in Uttar Pradesh, securing the livelihoods of thousands of farmers against the threat of red rot.
