Scientist–Farmer Interaction Meet

ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, in collaboration with ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dharmapuri, organized a one-day Scientist–Farmer Interaction Meet cum Mechanization and Integrated Crop Management in Sugarcane at KVK, Papparapatti, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, on 24 December 2025 under Development and Action lan for Scheduled Casts (DAPSC).

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. M. A. Vennila, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Dharmapuri. In her inaugural address, she highlighted the major problems faced by sugarcane farmers, particularly labour shortage and the high cost of cultivation. She emphasized the need for farmers to adopt latest technologies and mechanization to sustain sugarcane productivity. Dr. C. Sivakumar, Professor (Agronomy), KVK, Dharmapuri welcomed the gathering.

Dr. A. Annadurai, Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding) and Coordinator of the training programme, spoke on the latest sugarcane varieties developed by ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, highlighting those suitable for the Dharmapuri region. Dr. K. Kannan, Principal Scientist (Agronomy) and Head, Crop Production, emphasized the need to enhance sugarcane productivity in the context of rising production costs. He also elaborated on integrated crop management practices and soil health maintenance for sustainable sugarcane cultivation. Dr. T. Arumuganathan, Principal Scientist (Farm Machinery), spoke on the importance of mechanization in sugarcane farming, detailing the available implements and machinery, their proper use, and maintenance practices. Dr. R. Arunkumar, Principal Scientist (Plant Physiology), also addressed the farmers and shared insights relevant to crop growth and productivity.

This was followed by an interactive session between scientists and farmers. Farmers shared their field-level challenges, including the need for demonstrations on subsurface drip irrigation, availability of small harvesters for fragmented landholdings, manual sett planting implements, and reducing harvesting costs.

The programme was attended by Dr. K. Indhumathi, Associate Professor (Horticulture), and Dr. M. Deivamani, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), KVK, Dharmapuri. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. K. Indhumathi, Associate Professor (Horticulture.  About thirty sugarcane farmers in and around Papparapatti village attended the programme.