Tribal Sugarcane Farmers trained in improved cultivation practices

Tribal sugarcane farmers from Sittilingi Valley in Dharmapuri district were trained in improved cultivation practices at a two-day programme organised by the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), Coimbatore, on September 17 and 18.
The training programme on “Improved Sugarcane Technologies for Tribal Farmers” was conducted under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribe Component project. The programme focused on addressing location-specific challenges faced by Malayali tribal farmers cultivating sugarcane in the region.
An ICAR-SBI team had visited Sittilingi Valley in April 2026 and interacted with farmers who supply sugarcane to Subramaniya Siva Co-operative Sugar Mills, Harur. Based on the field-level constraints identified during the visit, the institute planned training programmes to improve productivity and farm practices.
Dr P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR-SBI, said the sugarcane sector in Tamil Nadu was facing several challenges and noted that the area under sugarcane cultivation in Dharmapuri district had declined from more than 7,000 hectares in 2011. He stressed the adoption of high-yielding varieties and scientific practices to manage emerging pests and diseases.
Dr D. Puthira Prathap, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer of the DAPSTC project, said the training focused on key issues such as drought management, white grub control and appropriate mechanisation.
P. Kandasamy, Chief Cane Officer, Subramaniya Siva Co-operative Sugar Mills, explained the support extended by the mill to registered cane growers, including inputs, extension services and procurement arrangements.
Farmers visited research fields and observed improved varieties, crop management practices, machinery, an integrated farming system and a sett-treatment device. Seed material of the newly released mid-late variety Co 21003 was handed over to the sugar mill for multiplication and distribution among growers.