Shamli, Uttar Pradesh: Sugarcane farmers in parts of the state are facing concerns as the Co-0238 variety is increasingly affected by red rot disease. As a result, many are shifting to newer varieties.
In Shamli district, the area under Co-0238 cultivation has decreased by around 22 percent. Both sugar mills and the agriculture department are urging farmers to move away from this variety due to its vulnerability to disease.
Currently, around 70 percent of the total sugarcane area in the district is still covered by the Co-0238 variety. For many years, this variety dominated the sugarcane belt of Shamli and western Uttar Pradesh. Its popularity was driven by high yield, thick canes, and better recovery rates, which had encouraged sugar mills to promote its cultivation.
However, over time, diseases like red rot, top borer, and pokkah boeng have started affecting this variety. The agriculture department has been urging farmers to switch to new varieties over the last two to three years.
District Cane Officer Ranjeet Singh Kushwaha stated that the total sugarcane area in the district is around 75,000 hectares, of which nearly 70 percent is still covered by Co-0238. Some farmers have switched to other varieties, leading to a 22 percent reduction in Co-0238 cultivation, reported Amar Ujala.
Co-0238 has also become more expensive for farmers due to the rising costs of protecting it from diseases and pests.
As an alternative, District Cane Officer Kushwaha recommended high-yield varieties to sugarcane farmers.
Last month, in a meeting focused on the interests of sugarcane farmers, a detailed discussion was held regarding the effective replacement of sugarcane varieties to combat diseases. The meeting took place under the leadership of Veena Kumari, Principal Secretary of Sugar Industry & Cane Development, Uttar Pradesh. Scientists, department officials, and sugar mill management participated in the discussion.
The Chief Secretary had stated that, in view of the long-term interests of the sugar industry and sugarcane farmers, sugar mills should come forward to replace the Co-0238 variety and increase the adoption of new sugarcane varieties.
