The Sugarcane Development Council has successfully trained over 9 lakh sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh through Facebook Live sessions, leveraging digital platforms to promote agricultural progress.
The initiative is designed to equip farmers with modern farming techniques, further solidifying Uttar Pradesh’s position as the top state in sugarcane production and productivity, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.
Launched in February 2024, this programme has reached more than 15 lakh sugarcane farmers across the state. The Facebook Live sessions have not only benefited farmers in Uttar Pradesh but have also extended their reach to sugarcane growers in Uttarakhand and Nepal, reported PTI.
By incorporating expert advice from sugarcane research institutions, these live sessions offer valuable insights into advanced farming practices, while also addressing farmers’ queries in real-time.
This initiative facilitates the rapid and efficient distribution of knowledge, empowering farmers to adopt best practices for enhanced yields and productivity.
Over the past year, the programme has engaged 15,36,600 farmers, with 9,10,342 directly participating in the training sessions. The Sugarcane Development Council has conducted 18 such Facebook Live programs, making technical guidance more accessible to farmers than ever before.
In addition to Facebook Live, the Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Development Council also offers traditional training programs at research institutes. Free training sessions have been held at sugarcane research centers in Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanpur, and Seorahi, with 19,039 farmers trained to date.
Training camps have also been organized in cities like Meerut, Rampur, Lakhimpur, Bareilly, Hardoi, Pilibhit, and even in Nepal.
The primary goal of these programmes are to educate farmers on improved sugarcane varieties and modern farming techniques. Along with cultivation methods, farmers also receive support with issues related to payment, seed availability, and other agricultural challenges.
Thanks to these ongoing efforts, Uttar Pradesh has become the leading state in sugarcane production and productivity and is also the top producer of sugar in India, as highlighted in the statement.
