COIMBATORE: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR–SBI), Coimbatore, marked its 115th Foundation Day on Tuesday, with Dr Himanshu Pathak, director general of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, attending as chief guest.
He said more than 80% of India’s sugarcane area is cultivated with ICAR–SBI’s ‘Co’ varieties, highlighting its role in national sugar security. Dr Pathak presented the Sir T S Venkataraman Awards for outstanding research in sugarcane agriculture and the best thesis award for the biennium 2024–25, issued Foundation Day Certificates of Appreciation and released new institute publications. The event drew over 300 participants, including serving and retired staff.
Addressing the event, Dr Pathak said the institute’s legacy predates the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its impact reaches “every Indian household” through sugar. “Agriculture today faces a changed context driven by advances in science and technology, shifting climate, soil and water constraints, and evolving societal expectations,” he said. He said sugarcane’s value extends beyond sugar to energy, feed, fuel and pharmaceuticals, and noted the scope for AI tools, including in agricultural extension, alongside new research approaches.
Dr Pathak urged scientists and staffers to pursue selfless, duty-bound work. He called for innovative, practical research solutions to emerging challenges. Dr Pathak flagged collaboration potential between ICRISAT and ICAR–SBI to accelerate sugarcane improvement using advanced genomics, artificial intelligence, precision phenotyping and climate-resilient breeding. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Coimbatore | Silver Rate in Coimbatore | Bank Holidays in Coimbatore | Public Holidays in Coimbatore | Coimbatore AQI | Weather in Coimbatore | Petrol Price in Coimbatore | Diesel Price in Coimbatore | CNG Price in Coimbatore | LPG Price in Coimbatore