Pathanamthitta: A team of scientists from the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sugarcane, led by Susheel Solomon, Chairman of the National Level Review Team, visited the Agricultural Research Station (ARS) under Kerala Agricultural University in Thiruvalla on September 23 and 24, reports The Hindu.
The team reviewed five years of research and development activities at the station and assessed recent progress in sugarcane cultivation. Pointing out a shortage of raw material to meet the rising demand for organic jaggery, they stressed the importance of expanding sugarcane cultivation in Kerala and developing climate-resilient varieties.
The delegation also recommended making use of the station’s flood-prone conditions to test sugarcane varieties for resistance to challenges such as red rot disease and waterlogging, with the help of artificial intelligence tools.
During the briefing, ARS head R. Gladis highlighted the station’s contribution in developing India’s first GI-tagged jaggery, locally known as pathiyan sharkara. The visiting scientists suggested adding value to the product by blending it with medicinal herbs and spices to boost its market appeal.
