SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE

(INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH) COIMBATORE 641 007

Dr. N.Vijayan Nair

Director

Sugarcane Breeding Institute to launch its Centenary Celebrations

Sugarcane Breeding Institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is to launch its Centenary celebrations on 24 October 2011- its 99th Foundation day. The Sugarcane Breeding Institute was established in 1912 by Dr C.A.Barber, the then Government Sugarcane Expert, with the primary objective of evolving new sugarcane varieties suitable for cultivation in sub-tropical India for improving sugarcane productivity. Coimbatore was specifically selected due to its suitability for optimum flowering and seed set under natural conditions. The Sugarcane Breeding Institute formerly under the Government of India became part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1969. The Co varieties developed by this institute are widely cultivated throughout the country. The variety Co 86032, developed by this institute occupies more than 90 % of the cane area in Tamil Nadu Dr S.Ayyappan , Secretary, Dept. of Agricultural Research & Education, Govt. of India & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi will be launching the Centenary celebrations at Sugarcane Breeding Institute at 10 am on 24.10.2011

N.VIJAYAN NAIR DIRECTOR SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE ============== Media Contact : Dr D Puthira Prathap, Senior Scientist, Sugarcane Breeding Institute 9443578232; 0422-2472621-Extn: 238;