Revival Hope for UP Sugar Economy: New Disease-Resistant Cane Variety to Tackle Red Rot Crisis
Public Lokpal
September 28, 2026
Revival Hope for UP Sugar Economy: New Disease-Resistant Cane Variety to Tackle Red Rot Crisis
Uttar Pradesh’s sugar industry is facing a severe setback, with production plunging from a peak of 126.4 lakh tonnes to 89.5 lakh tonnes.
This steep decline is primarily driven by widespread red rot fungal infestations that devastate crops, compounded by an over-reliance on the aging Co-0238 variety.
To rescue the state's dominant cane economy, agricultural scientists and industry stakeholders are pinning their hopes on Co-20016 (Karan 20), a high-yielding, red rot-resistant variety developed by ICAR-SBI.
Field trials show promising metrics, boasting an average cane yield of 144.6 tonnes per hectare and a higher sucrose content of 18.7%.
While Co-20016 offers a much-needed lifeline, experts caution against repeating past monoculture mistakes.
Ensuring long-term agricultural resilience will require maintaining strict varietal diversification across UP's farming belt to safeguard against future disease epidemics.