Quality seed is a critical input for raising a successful crop. In sugarcane, quality seed production requires genetically pure, virus-free planting material coupled with rigorous monitoring to maintain genetic purity and ensure disease-free canes. With the growing demand for quality seed cane, the ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, has emerged as a reliable source of seed cane for its institute-developed varieties across the country.
To address this demand, ICAR–SBI initiated a Farmer’s Participatory Seed Production Programme in 2016–17. The programme operates in three systematic phases under the direct supervision of institute scientists:
•Production of Tissue Culture Seedlings – Using apical meristem tip culture from maintenance breeding plots, tissue culture seedlings are raised, tested for genetic fidelity, and indexed for viruses to ensure disease-free initial material.
•Breeder Seed Production – These virus-free seedlings are planted in the institute farm to produce breeder seeds under continuous scientific monitoring.
•Seed Cane Multiplication by Farmers – Breeder seeds are supplied to selected seed farmers for multiplication. The seed fields are regularly monitored by ICAR–SBI scientists, and after 7–8 months, harvested seed canes are supplied to sugar factories based on their indents.
Sugar factories further multiply this material through a three-tier nursery system before supplying to commercial growers.
Since its inception, the programme has successfully multiplied and supplied several popular sugarcane varieties such as Co 86032, Co 06030, Co 0212, Co 06022, Co 0403, Co 09004, Co 11015, Co 14012, and Co 18009 to factories in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Between 2016–17 and 2023–24, ICAR–SBI produced and supplied 9,186 tons of quality seed cane, generating a revenue of ₹45.94 lakhs for the institute. The demand has been steadily increasing, with co-operative and private factories placing indents for 2,100 tons of seed cane for 2025–26. To meet this, 10 farmers’ fields (32 acres) have been selected and 1,97,000 breeder seed setts of four popular varieties—Co 86032, Co 11015, Co 14012, and Co 18009—have been planted.
The programme has proven highly beneficial to farmers due to:
• Premium price of ₹3,500 per ton of seed cane,
• Reduced cultivation cost by avoiding labour-intensive detrashing,
• Exemption from harvesting charges,
• Short crop duration of 6–7 months,
• Buy-back assurance and immediate payment upon harvest.
With quality breeder seed cane and the expertise of progressive farmers, an average yield of 40–45 tons/acre within six months has been achieved. So far, the supply of 9,186.93 tons of quality seed cane has enabled participating farmers to collectively earn a gross revenue of ₹2.76 crores, motivating them to continue with the programme.
The success of this farmer-participatory seed production model demonstrates its effectiveness in meeting the growing demand for quality sugarcane seed while ensuring profitability and sustainability for farmers.
(Source: ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore)
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