The ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), Coimbatore, organized a two-day Training programme on “Improved Sugarcane Technologies for Tribal Farmers (TISTT)” for sugarcane growers from the tribal settlements of Sittilingi valley, a region nestled between the Kalvarayan and Sitheri hills, in Dharmapuri district of western Tamil Nadu. Held on 17–18 September 2026 at the institute premises, the programme was implemented under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribe Component (DAPSTC) project.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR-SBI, highlighted the mounting challenges facing the sugarcane sector in Tamil Nadu compared with other states. He noted that the area under sugarcane in Dharmapuri district has declined sharply from over 7,000 hectares in 2011. Emphasising the need to adopt new, high-yielding varieties, he urged farmers to follow scientific practices to manage emerging pests and diseases, thereby making sugarcane cultivation more profitable.

Dr D. Puthira Prathap, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer of the DAPSTC project, explained that tribal participation in sugarcane farming remains limited in the state. The training modules were designed to address key constraints in Dharmapuri, including drought management, white grub control, and the promotion of appropriate mechanisation in sugarcane cultivation.

During the occasion, seed material of the newly released high-yielding mid-late variety, Co 21003, was handed over to Subramaniya Siva Co-operative Sugar Mills for multiplication and distribution among growers. Dr R. Gopi, Senior Scientist, ICAR-SBI proposed the vote of thanks.

 

(Release ID: 2312843) Visitor Counter : 43