SUSTAINABLE CANE CULTIVATION THROUGH TRANSPLANTING POLYTRAY RAISED SEEDLINGS (PRS)

摘要

M/s Nava Bharat Ventures Ltd., Sugar Division, Samalkot developed a technique of raising seedlings in polytrays and supplying the readymade seedlings to cane growers for sustainable cane cultivation. The cost of production of seedlings is Re. 0.89 and 8000 seedlings are optimum for transplanting one acre. By adopting this technique, farmer can save Rs. 3480/- per acre besides 16 man days of labour. Shoot population up to 180 days is quite encouraging and the expected cane yield range from 63 to 88 T/ac in different varieties if 75% of existing population is converted into millable canes weighing 1.3 to 1.5 kg each. As the seed requirement under this technique is reduced to 1 T/ac from usual 3 T/ac. The surplus cane can be crushed by the industry for sugar production. Besides, factorys burden of supplying seed cane to cane growers is reduced by quantity. Thus, the technique of transplanting (PRS) is beneficial for both cane growers and industry. A business model is being developed by establishing centralized seed centers employing female labourers and owned by local service providers.