Trichy: The Sugarcane Research Station (SRS) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore at Sirugamani, Trichy, has outlined plans to cultivate a sugarcane variety boasting high yields and sugar content, reported The Times of India.
“The initiation of research into gene manipulation techniques to breed varieties with elevated sugar content is pivotal. Such advancements could significantly enhance farmers’ earnings, surpassing the profitability of conventional mills,” said the agricultural production commissioner (APC) Apoorva during her recent visit to the Sugarcane Research Station and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Sirugamani.
Programme coordinator of KVK and head of SRS, C Raja Babu, emphasized the preference of farmers for high yields, juxtaposed with sugar mills’ inclination towards sugarcane varieties rich in juice for optimal sugar production. “When one characteristic predominates in a variety, others may recede. Our commissioner suggested the cultivation of a sugarcane variety embodying both high yield and sugar content,” Raja Babu elaborated. He affirmed that SRS will spearhead this initiative, pushing forward with research and development efforts.
