Pilibhit: In an effort to modernise sugarcane farming and combat red rot disease, which has significantly affected crops this season, the Uttar Pradesh sugarcane administration has rolled out a training initiative aimed at building a skilled network of agricultural educators, reported The Times of India.
The programme will identify experienced farmers, sugar mill workers, and sugarcane department staff, who will receive expert training to become “master trainers.” These trainers will then educate sugarcane growers across all 152 sugarcane development council areas at the village level.
Cane Commissioner Prabhu N. Singh said the selected individuals will participate in a three-day intensive training led by scientists from the UP Council of Sugarcane Research. The training will focus on improved sugarcane varieties, disease and pest control, soil and seed treatment, water-saving irrigation methods, mixed cropping techniques, use of farm inputs, and awareness of government subsidies.
“Using balanced fertilisers, adopting drip irrigation, and growing additional crops like pulses, potatoes, and peas alongside sugarcane can increase farmers’ income and improve productivity in the state,” Singh said while speaking to TOI.
Each master trainer will go on to train groups of 50 farmers. These training sessions will be conducted over the next six months at sugarcane research centres, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and model farms managed by leading growers. The programme will be overseen by departmental officials, and a district-wise schedule has already been released.
