Expert bats for new sugarcane varieties

Tribune News Service

Karnal, December 17

Coimbatore-based Sugarcane Breeding Institute director Dr Bakshi Ram today batted for sowing of new varieties to increase yield.

He said farmers from some states were still sowing varieties of sugarcane that have less yield and they must diversify. He was speaking at a meeting-cum brain storming session with representatives of sugar mills at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute’s Regional Centre here.

Bakshi Ram urged scientists and representatives of sugar mills to make sure the newly-released varieties were made available to farmers. He highlighted ways to improve sugar recovery with newly released varieties and emphasised on the cultivation of high-sugar varieties such as Co 0238, Co 0118 and Co 05011 to achieve higher productivity and sugar recovery.

Bakshi Ram said India was at the second position in sugarcane production after Brazil and steps needed to be taken to meet increasing demand of sugar and other products.