Pune: Speaking at the inauguration of the 65th convention of The Deccan Sugar Technologists Association India (DSTA), Dr KP Vishwanatha, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Phule Krushi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, said, “For the last few years, we have seen fluctuations in sugarcane production across Maharashtra due to the climate change.”
DSTA had organised a two-day conference on October 1 and 2 which was attended by the scientists, sugar technologists and the engineers from major sugarcane growing states such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Talking about the challenges faced by researchers in the field of sugarcane production, Vishwanatha said, “The main challenge for the breeders and researchers is to develop disease-resistant, climate-resilient and drought-resistant varieties of sugarcane. However, I am sceptical about drought-resistant variety as without water biomass production is difficult.”
Vishwanatha also mentioned that drip irrigation and proper thrash management will help the sugarcane production and the industry. He said, “If we can manage entire sugarcane production with micro-irrigation, proper thrash management and promote intercropping, this will help the entire industry.”
Mansingrao J Jadhav, President of DSTA gave the welcome address which was followed by the 54 presentations by the researchers.
A sugar expo was also organised in which around 50 vendors from all over the country had participated. Other guests who were present during the inauguration were Shivajirao Deshmukh, Director-General of DSI, Narendra Agarwal, NSI, Kanpur and Prakash Naiknavare, MD NFCF, New Delhi.
