Context:
In a significant move to enhance the sugarcane ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh, the Indian Sugarcane Research Institute (ICAR-ISRI), Lucknow, and Zuari Industries Pvt Ltd (ZIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Cane Excellence Programme at Gobind Sugar Mills, Aira, Lakhimpur. This partnership aims to elevate sugarcane productivity, sustainability, farmer engagement, and integrate cutting-edge research and development for long-term growth.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration
- Technical and R&D Support from ICAR-ISRI:
- ICAR-ISRI’s Role: The institute will provide expertise on best agronomic practices, offer R&D support to evaluate existing sugarcane varieties, and assist in developing new, high-yielding strains. Experts from the institute will be involved in training, joint activities, and monitoring of the programme.
- Research and Adoption: ICAR-ISRI will facilitate location-specific adoption of research findings and offer consultancy services on mutually agreed terms.
- Farmer Empowerment and Knowledge Dissemination:
- Capacity Building: The programme includes exposure visits, cross-learning platforms, and the dissemination of technical manuals, videos, and mobile advisories to farmers.
- Digital Integration: ICAR-ISRI will help integrate digital advisory systems and decision-support tools to enhance the effectiveness of the programme in improving farmer decision-making.
- Sustainability and Climate Resilience:
- The focus is not just on productivity but also on creating a climate-resilient and sustainable sugarcane farming model. The collaboration aims to promote climate-smart agriculture practices tailored to local conditions, thus ensuring long-term viability for farmers.
Future Prospects
The Cane Excellence Programme is expected to serve as a model for integrating industry and research institution collaboration, providing farmers with the tools and knowledge to improve both the productivity and sustainability of their operations. Through this partnership, the focus is on innovative practices that address current challenges in sugarcane cultivation while preparing the industry for future demands.
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