Tribal sugarcane farmers of Sittilingi valley, Dharmapuri district, learn ways to boost yields at ICAR- SBI, Coimbatore

17-18 September 2026, Coimbatore

ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, organized a two-day Training programme on “Improved Sugarcane Technologies for Tribal Farmers” for sugarcane growers from the tribal settlements of Sittilingi valley, a region nestled between the Kalvarayan and Sitheri hills, in Dharmapuri district of western Tamil Nadu. Held on 17–18 September 2026 at the institute premises, the programme was implemented under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribe Component (DAPSTC) project.

As part of the DAPSTC project, a team from ICAR-SBI visited the Sittilingi valley of Dharmapuri district in April 2026, where Malayali tribal communities cultivate sugarcane and supply to the Subramaniya Siva Co-operative Sugar Mills, Harur. Based on field interactions and constraints reported by farmers, the institute proposed a structured training programme in two phases—17–18 and 29–30 September 2026—to enhance productivity and address location-specific challenges.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR-SBI, highlighted the mounting challenges facing the sugarcane sector in Tamil Nadu compared with other states. He stated that the area under sugarcane in Dharmapuri district has declined sharply from over 7,000 hectares in 2011. Emphasising the need to adopt new, high-yielding varieties, he urged farmers to follow scientific practices to manage emerging pests and diseases, thereby making sugarcane cultivation more profitable.”

The training programme highlighted that tribal participation in sugarcane farming remains limited in the state. The training modules were designed to address key constraints in Dharmapuri, including drought management, white grub control, and the promotion of appropriate mechanisation in sugarcane cultivation.

The programme also acknowledged the support extended to registered cane growers, including the provision of inputs, extension services, and procurement arrangements.

In addition to the lectures and farmer–scientist interactions, participants were taken to sugarcane research fields to observe improved varieties and crop management practices. They were also shown sugarcane machinery, the sugarcane-based integrated farming system demonstration unit, and a live demonstration of a sett-treatment device.

During the occasion, seed material of the newly released high-yielding mid-late variety, Co 21003, was handed over to Subramaniya Siva Co-operative Sugar Mills for multiplication and distribution among growers.

(Source: ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore)