Satara (Maharashtra): Emphasising the critical role of soil health in increasing sugarcane production, the Satara District Central Cooperative Bank is providing subsidies for soil and water testing, as well as for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in sugarcane cultivation, said the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rajendra Sarkale, reported Agrowon.
He was speaking at a farmer training workshop and the launch of an environment-friendly sugarcane management project held at the Ajinkyatara Cooperative Sugar Factory premises. The programme was jointly organised by the Ajinkyatara Sugar Factory, Mahatma Phule Krushi Vidyapeeth, Pune Agricultural College, and the Satara District Central Cooperative Bank.
On the occasion, farmers were guided by Dr Subhash Dhane, head of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry and former farm director; Dr Rajendra Sarkale; and Dr Dharmendrakumar Phalke, project coordinator and associate professor from the Soil Science Department, Pune Agricultural College.
Dr Dhane shared information on ongoing research by agricultural universities related to soil management, crop improvement, plant diseases, and improved crop varieties. He urged farmers to adopt university-recommended practices to enhance productivity.
Dr Phalke said that the environment-friendly sugarcane development project being implemented jointly by the Agricultural College, the district bank and the Ajinkyatara Sugar Factory has delivered encouraging results. Farmers participating in the project have recorded an average increase of 18 percent in their income. He also noted that the proportion of adsali sugarcane in the factory’s operational area is high and needs to be reduced.
Ajinkyatara Sugar Factory Chairman Yashwantrao Salunkhe said the joint crop development initiative undertaken by the three institutions has clearly benefited farmers and appealed to more growers to participate in the programme. Factory Executive Director Jivaji Mohite said the factory’s progress is taking place under the guidance of Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale and with the cooperation of the board of directors.
Director Vishwas Shedge welcomed the participants, while Vice-Chairman Namdev Sawant delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was anchored by Labour Officer Ranjit Chavan. Several directors, agriculture officer Vilas Patil, secretary Bashir Sande, and a large number of farmers were present at the event.
