BELGAUM: The city-based K.L.E. Society's School of Agriculture received sugar beet seeds for conducting trials here from DE SMET S.A. Engineers & Contractors, Belgium, at a workshop on "Beet sugar technology" here on Saturday.

The seeds were received by the chairman of the governing body of the K.L.E. Society, S.C. Metgud, from Bernard Couteaux of the Sugar Division, DE SMET, in the presence of the Director of the Karnataka Sugar Institute, S.M. Kaluti, and other dignitaries.

The workshop was organised by the K.L.E. Society in association with the Karnataka Sugar Institute at the society's College of Engineering and Technology here.

Among those present on the occasion were Amit Datey, Chairman, Cogeneration Committee of India; Mohan Bajikar, consultant to the Cogeneration Committee of India, New Delhi; and the college principal, Uday V. Wali.

`Difficult phase'

In his address to the audience comprising representatives from the sugar industry, government officials, agricultural scientists and progressive farmers, Mr. Bajikar said the sugar industry in the country has been passing through a difficult phase for a decade owing to various factors. He said the Centre constituted a committee under the chairmanship of S.K. Tukeja, Secretary to the Department of Food and Public Distribution, in March 2004 to look into the problems confronting the sugar industry and suggest measures for its revival.

The committee, which submitted its report in December, suggested the use of alternatives such as sugar beet and sweet sorghum and that loans be provided for projects for seed development.

He pointed out that the Vasantdada Institute of Sugar Technology in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University have conducted trials, which confirmed that sugar beet can be cultivated in Indian climatic conditions.

Funds

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has granted Rs. 1 crore to conduct trials. The cultivation will help the sugar industry extend the crushing season.

Earlier, Mr. Metgud, who inaugurated the workshop, said the operational period of the sugar industry in the country ranges from six to eight months and alternatives need to be explored to optimise its capacity.

Jagdish Sunkad from the School of Agriculture highlighted the objectives of the workshop.

Mr. Couteaux and Mr. Francis made a presentation on beet sugar technology and the services offered by their company. The video presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |