18 member delegation of progressive sugarcane farmers led by Mr. Sunil Chaudhary, General Manager (Operations), Sugarcane Grower Council from Fiji arrived at National Sugar Institute, Kanpur on their two weeks study tour to see and discuss latest efficient techniques adopted in India for sugarcane cultivation and sugar production. The team will stay at National Sugar Institute, Kanpur for few days to see the farm, experimental sugar factory and ethanol plant operations with respect to innovative measures taken for improving the productivities from farm to factory.
The visit has been organized by the institute on the request of Sugarcane Grower Council, Fiji through Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Sugarcane is one of the most significant crops cultivated in Fiji and for over a century has shaped the development of the country’s economy. However, for the past 20 years, both sugarcane and sugar production has declined steadily, by approximately 50%. Decreasing profits from sugarcane production due to lower productivity coupled with cultivation, harvesting, and transportation costs and the non-renewal of land leases, have all led to the present situation said Prof. Narendra Mohan, Director.
We are going to showcase them the work done by the Indian Farmers, Institutes and Industry for making the sugar industry sustainable. We are going to provide them theoretical and practical exposure on varietal development, seed treatment, planting techniques, irrigation practices, disease and pest management, farm mechanization and importantly about use of Information Technology on harvesting the sugarcane at optimum maturity and minimizing cut to crush delay. Exposure shall also be given to them about latest trend in processing to produce superior quality sugar and utilization of by-products for making value added products, informed Director.
After offering ceremonial welcome and address of Prof. Mohan, Director, presentation about the institute activities was made by Prof. D Swain, Professor Sugar Engineering. Dr. Seema Paroha, Prof. Biochemistry and Dr. Ashok Kumar, Assistant Prof. Agriculture Chemistry conducted interactive sessions on sugar-ethanol scenario and on various aspects of sugarcane farming respectively.
After completing exposure visit of National Sugar Institute, the experts of the institute will accompany the delegation to various commercial sugar factories, institute involved in developing new sugarcane varieties and to the works of machinery manufacturers. The delegation shall also interact with the Indian progressive farmers to know the ground realities with respect to measures taken for improving the crop yield with minimum inputs of irrigation water, fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides.
