Bijnor: Farmers in the district are facing difficulties as they struggle to find a suitable alternative to the 0238 sugarcane variety. While sugar mills and the sugarcane department are providing seeds of multiple varieties, they have yet to offer a true replacement for 0238.
Despite the widespread disease affecting the 0238 variety, many farmers are still opting to cultivate it. Even though the crop is infected, no other variety has been able to match its yield. Farmers who have put in significant effort are harvesting between 80 to 90 quintals per acre, a fact acknowledged by officials from the sugarcane department.
While some sugarcane varieties are being distributed by sugar mills and others are being sourced by farmers from different regions, the loyalty of farmers to the 0238 variety remains strong. The prevalence of diseases such as red rot has not deterred them from continuing their cultivation. The sugarcane department has claimed that efforts are being made to replace 0238 on a large scale, but farmers remain reluctant to switch.
The sugarcane department is offering seeds of alternative varieties such as 0118, 13235, 98014, 15023, 14201, 17231, and 16202. However, farmers claim that none of these can match the performance of 0238.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Non-Political) District President Nitin Sirohi stated that while sugar mills are promoting other varieties, none have proven to be a viable replacement for 0238. “Even a diseased 0238 crop is yielding well, so farmers will continue to plant it,” he said.
|A farmer from the region, shared that even with disease outbreaks, no variety has been able to surpass 0238. “Farmers are still harvesting between 80 and 90 quintals per acre, proving that 0238 remains unmatched,” he said.
Prabhu Narayan Singh, District Sugarcane Officer, acknowledged the concerns and urged farmers to adopt new varieties. “Sugar mills and the sugarcane department are providing improved seed varieties. While 0238 offers excellent yields, diseases are affecting production. Farmers should consider planting alternatives such as 0118, 13235, 98014, 15023, 14201, 17231, and 16202,” he said.
