Uttar Pradesh's premier Agro Institute facing neglect

Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), Oct.16 : The Genda Singh sugarcane breeding and research institute in Sewari in Uttar Pradesh, which was Asia's second prominent centre for research purposes, has per researchers working there, been a victim of neglect.

It was known for making significant contribution for development and release of new sugarcane varieties, suitable for the agro-climatic zone of the eastern Uttar Pradesh and and Bihar in the early nineties.

Spread over 286.44 acre area, this research centre has developed species like COS-8432,8436, COSE-92422 and 98237.

These varieties proved a great blessing for farmers of Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Assam , Oriss and even the neighbour country Nepal.

Established in 1977, the institute primarily worked to help evolve improved varieties of sugarcane besides basic and applied research in Genetics, Cytogenetics, Physiology, Biochemistry, Agricultural, Soil and Pesticide Chemistry, Agronomy, Pathology, Entomology, Extension and Biometrical aspects of Sugarcane.

The centre has developed 42 species and about 437 species have been kept in laboratories in reserve.

There was a time when at least 28 senior scientists workedg here. Today, the number of scientist working here has reduced to just six.

Today, there is not much research work done here. The building appears worn out. The research centre's library containing books worth 70 million rupees is facing ruins.

"This institute was considered to be the second best in Asia. All research related to sugarcane like stealth-testing, disease control and clonal multiplication was carried out here. But the institute is losing grounds on the research for the last few years. The building has worn out and a lot of research has come to a standstill. Many researchers and workers migrated to other places since 1996. The library which contains various informative books on sugarcanes and other subjects is in ruins," said Rabindra Singh, the Director of Workers Department.

Meanwhile, the sugarcane farmers in the region have always been unhappy over the poor sale of their sugarcane crops. They complain of not getting desired rates on time.

"The rates of sugarcane vary so much these days. And, the rates are not fixed which forces migration of the farmers. There are marketing problems involved in this activity and payments are not received on time. They begin to lose interest in sugarcanes. Also their sticks are not sold on time which is another area of concern," said Subash Chand Singh, one researcher. By Pawan Kumar

ANI