A Field Day highlighting the newly released mid-late maturing sugarcane variety ‘Co 18009’ was organized by ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute in collaboration with Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd. at Kanjappalli village in Annur Taluk of Coimbatore.
Addressing farmers and extension officials, Dr P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR-SBI, emphasized the importance of adopting improved sugarcane varieties such as Co 18009, Co 11015, and Co 14012. He stated that older varieties often suffer from declining productivity, increased disease susceptibility, and reduced profitability for farmers. Highlighting the growing challenge of labour scarcity, he stressed the need to mechanize nearly 75% of sugarcane cultivation to sustain farm incomes. He also informed that the Institute plans to actively involve farmers in the varietal breeding process. Seed material of Co 18009 and extension literature were distributed to participants during the programme.