Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh: Farmers, alarmed by sugarcane’s cancer red rot disease, have prioritized changing from variety 0238. Following a setback in production, farmers in the district have opted to sow other varieties of sugarcane across approximately 40,000 hectares, leaving aside the 0238 variety. Farmers in the district have planted sugarcane varieties such as 0118, 13235, 15023, 14201, 5009, 17231, 82023, and 219, among others.
The 0238 sugarcane variety had proven to be lucrative for farmers in the district. It was the first choice of farmers. This is why farmers in the district planted 0238 in approximately 96 per cent of the acreage. However, there was an outbreak of red rot disease in the sugarcane. Due to red rot disease, caused by sugarcane cancer, and excessive rainfall, sugarcane production in the district was affected.
Sugarcane production in the district affected due to sugarcane’s cancer red rot disease. Sugar mills did not receive sufficient sugarcane, and many closed earlier than usual. Farmers were made aware of the need to switch from 0238, and varieties such as 0118, 13235, 15023, 14201, etc., were made available to them.
PN Singh, District Sugarcane Officer, Bijnor, said that 96 per cent of the acreage in the district was under 0238. Farmers were made aware, and new sugarcane varieties were made available. In the next two years, new sugarcane varieties will be planted instead of 0238.
