PAU and Sugarfed exchange ideas for advancing sugarcane research and development in Punjab

Ludhiana, June 28, 2023: Arvind Pal Singh Sandhu (IAS), MD of Sugarfed Punjab, visited Punjab Agricultural University with Kanwaljit Singh, GM-cum-Cane Advisor of Sugarfed, and Arvinder Pal Singh Kairon, GM of Batala Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd. They sought insights into PAU's sugarcane research and development endeavours. Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU's Vice-Chancellor, university officers, and subject specialists engaged with the visitors.

Sandhu shared that Sugarfed, the state's apex body of presently working nine Cooperative Sugar Mills, supports farmers with services like disease-free seed, pest control, timely purchase, and payment for their produce. Around 1.80 lac farmers' families are connected to the state's sugar mills. Their focus is to improve farmers' income, increase per-acre yield, and promote sugarcane research and development. They wish to introduce high-sucrose, high-yielding sugarcane varieties for industry and farmers' benefit. Mr. Sandhu also highlighted the potential of sugarcane waste, such as ethanol production, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Suggesting innovative ideas for advancing sugarcane research and packaging, Dr S.S. Gosal pointed out the potential of tissue culture or micropropagation for the rapid production of disease-free seeds and preserving the genetic fidelity of promising varieties. This approach could accelerate breeding and propagation. Dr Gosal indicated that evaluating the sugar content for staling losses in sugarcane juice can be a key factor for its cold chain transport. Additionally, he proposed exploring blends, flavors, and variations in sugar content for the juice’s market acceptability. Identifying location-specific varieties for commercial cultivation and considering tetra packaging for better shelf life and distribution alongside bottling were recommended by him. Organic farming of sugarcane and biofertilizer production from its waste were also mentioned as other interesting areas to explore.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, PAU's Director of Research, advised using recommended varieties for sugarcane planting. He emphasized that the university's recommendations are based on extensive research and rigorous trials. Dr. Dhatt cautioned against cultivating unrecommended varieties that are vulnerable to harmful pathogens. He encouraged cooperative sugar mills to collaborate in the crop's research and development programme, underscoring the mutual benefits for farmers and sugar mills.

Addressing numerous challenges in sugarcane cultivation, Dr Gulzar Singh Sanghera, Director, Regional Research Station, Kapurthala, offered guidance to growers and field mill personnel on variety selection, planning based on maturity groups, planting seasons, and plant/ratoon types. He also discussed recent technological interventions like FIRB (furrow irrigated raised bed planting), sub-soiling, crop geometry, single bud chip nursery raising, intercropping, sub-surface drip irrigation, and bio-agent production and application for pest management. Dr. Sanghera emphasized strategies for cane development, including lodging prevention, wider row planting, ratoon management, top borer control, cane crushing scheduling, mechanization, and training. He drew attention to the importance of credit flow and its effective utilization for sustainable and profitable sugarcane farming.

Later, the visitors inquired about drip irrigation specifications, costs, and subsidies, biocontrol agent mechanisms using Tricho-cards, micropropagation, and sugarcane product packaging details.