Karnal: Concerned about farmers facing shortages of seeds for new sugarcane varieties, the Karnal Co-operative Sugar Mill has taken steps to introduce advanced and high-yielding varieties suitable for local cultivation. The Tribune reported.
Managing Director Aditi, accompanied by senior officials, recently visited the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute’s Regional Centre in Karnal to review the latest sugarcane varieties developed by scientists. During the visit, she discussed with the institute’s Director, Dr. ML Chhabra, the availability of improved seeds that could benefit the mill’s farmers.
Aditi stressed the importance of supplying quality seeds at fair rates to farmers associated with the cooperative. The institute assured full support and confirmed that improved seed varieties would be provided to the mill. She also stated that seeds from the institute would be used in the mill’s tissue culture laboratory to develop new sugarcane varieties in the near future. “Directions have been issued to the head of the tissue culture lab for this purpose,” she said.
Earlier, Aditi held four meetings with farmers from areas including Manglora, Chundipur, and Badagaon, who requested seeds for varieties such as CO-17018, CO-16030, COH-160, COH-188, CO-15023, and CO-118.
Sharing an update on the ongoing crushing season 2025–26, she said the mill has processed approximately 27.5 lakh quintals of sugarcane over 84 days. The current sugar recovery stands at 10%, with an overall average of 9.36%. The mill has produced 2.46 lakh quintals of refined sugar so far.
The 18 MW cogeneration plant at the mill has generated a total of 3.16 crore units of electricity this season, of which 2.12 crore units were supplied to the power corporation, earning the mill an additional net revenue of around Rs 13 crore.
Aditi confirmed that farmers’ payments have been made up to February 7.
