Introduction
Sugarcane Research Program (SRP) was established in 1971 with name of Sugarcane Development Programme (SDP). In the beginning, this programme functioned as one of the unit of Parwanipur Agriculture Station (PAS). Only in 1981, this program started functioning as National Sugarcane Development Programme (NSDP) at Jeetpur in Bara District. During 1992/93, the program was renamed as Sugarcane Research Programme (SRP). Globally, it is located at 98 metres above sea level and 27O 06′ 48″ N latitude and 84O 57′ 07″ E longitude. It is 122 km south of Kathmandu and 16 km north of Birgunj.
The climate of Jeetpur is hot and humid in summer season and cool in winter. The maximum temperature ranges from 22.7 to 34.5 oC and minimum temperature ranges from 8.5 to 25.9 oC. The average annual rainfall of Jeetpur is 1550 mm. The total acreage of Sugarcane Research Program is twenty hectares out of which fourteen hectares are cultivable.
Sugarcane is largest commercial crop in Nepal. In 1985 sugarcane area was 2,310 ha and the production was 5,58,340 mt. In 2013 area increased to 64,483 ha and the production upto 29,30,000 mt. After the establishment of Sugarcane Research Program the production and productivity of sugarcane is increasing but it is still below as compared to neighboring country. At present there are twelve sugar factories running in the country and they are running at their full crushing capacity. Approximately they are producing almost seventy five percent of sugar requirements of the country. Although running Sugarcane Research Program is rendering its full support to sugar factories in increasing production and productivity of sugarcane of the country by providing technical help. Sugarcane Research Program and Sugarcane factories have been working on collaborative way to tackle increase the quality of sugarcane around the country.
Mandate
To contribute to livelihood enhancement of sugarcane growers through increased production and productivity of sugarcane through the generation of sustainable environmental friendly and economically viable technologies.
Objectives
- To develop high yielding disease and insects pest resistant varieties suitable for different agro- ecological zone.
- To generate economically viable technologies for increasing productivity of sugarcane and income of farmers.
- Collection, characterization conservation, assessment and utilization of sugarcane indigenous and exotic genetic resources.
- Periodic assessment of production problem and potential of sugarcane in cane producing districts with the collaboration of ARS, Extension Agency and sugar Industries.
- Development and conduction of applied and adaptive, problem-solving and potential exploration research in sugarcane and generate varieties, production package of practices and diseases and insect-pest control measures.
- Collaboration and coordination with central disciplinary divisions, ARSs and sugar Industries for planning and implementation of On-station and On-farm experiment to generate location specific technologies.
- Development of techniques/technologies that minimize or prevent post-harvest losses and enhance the sugar recovery.
- Production of Breeder and Foundation seed of new varieties and provide training support to private cane seed
- growers for quality seed production.
Establish linkages with National/ Regional / International Sugarcane Research
Major Research Achievements (Outputs)
Varietal
- Released varieties
Jitpur-1 released as early maturing variety for irrigated condition
Jitpur-2 released as early maturing variety for all condition
Jitpur-3 released as early maturing variety for irrigated condition
Jitpur-4 released as mid maturing variety for irrigated condition - Recommended varieties
BO 84, BO 88, BO 89, BO 91, BO 110, CoS 767, CoS 802, CoS 7918, CoS 8315, UP 1, BO 99 - Highly promising varieties
CO 0232, CO 0233, CO 0238, CO J 85 and CoLk 94184
Activities
- Varietal improvement of sugarcane genotypes
- Development of package of practice
- Study of performance of sugarcane under various sources of nitrogen
- Evaluation of various genotypes on various dates of Planting
- Study of response of various dose of Nitrogen on sugarcane yield
- Study of performance of various genoypes of under various moisture conditions
- Screening of Sugarcane genotypes against redrot
- Mass production of natural enemies of sugarcane pests (Trichogramma spp. and Epiricania melanoleuca)
- Assessment of the pest status in various districts of Nepal
Expected Outputs
- Release and recommendation of various genotypes for different domains
- Development of package of practice of sugarcane cultivation
- Management strategies of various insect pests of sugarcane
- Mass production of various natural enemies of insect pests (Trichogramma spp. and Epiricania melanoleuca)
Researchers
- Dr. Dilraj Yadav, Senior Scientist (S-3)/Coordinator
- Mr. Abhisek Shrestha, Technical Officer (T-6)
Contact Address
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Sugarcane Research Program
Jitpur, Bara, Nepal
Phone:+977-51-690489, 977-9855045026
Fax: +977-51-580174
E-mail: srpnarc@gmail.com
Website: www.narc.gov.np