During farm trials in Marayur, a new sugarcane variety showed a lot of promise. Sugarcane Co86032 has been found to be more resistant to drought and pest attacks, as well as having a higher yield. The project was carried out in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the State Haritha Kerala Mission.
According to officials, the pilot project was launched in 2021 as part of the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiatives (SSI). "SSI is a method of sugarcane cultivation that requires fewer seeds and less water, as well as optimal fertilizer and land utilization to increase yields," an official explained.
According to agricultural consultant Sreeram Paramasivam, the Co86032 variety was traditionally grown in Marayur using sugarcane stumps. However, for the first time, sugarcane seedlings were used for cultivation. The SSI method for sugarcane farming has already been implemented in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
"The new SSI farming method seeks to increase yield at a low cost," he explained. According to P.N. Vijayan, a farmer from Marayur, the yield from the one-acre pilot project was 55 tonnes of sugarcane.
“The average production from one acre is 40 tonnes, which requires 30,000 cane stumps. However, if you use seedlings, the requirement drops to just 5,000 seedlings," Vijayan explained.
"More farmers in the region have expressed an interest in switching to sugarcane seedling. Cane stumps cost Rs 18,000 per acre, and saplings cost less than Rs 7,500," Vijayan added.
One-month-old sugarcane saplings were initially brought from an SSI nursery in Karnataka and distributed to selected farmers, according to officials. In Marayur, an SSI nursery has been established to produce saplings. Sugarcane farming is a major source of income for Marayur and Kanthalloor panchayat farmers. Marayoor Jaggery is well-known for its high quality and flavour.
About Haritha Keralam Mission:
Haritha Keralam Mission is one of the few well-designed and impactful programmes under the Government of Kerala's overall development banner. It also includes three other Missions: Hygienic waste management for effective waste disposal, JalaSamirdhi for water conservation, and Sujalam Suphalam for agricultural development, all of which are implemented in a people-centric manner through Local Self-Government bodies under the Water Resources, Local Self-Government, and Agricultural Departments, respectively.
