The Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI) here is preparing to launch its centenary celebrations on October 24, its 99th Foundation Day.
Established in 1912 by Dr C.A. Barber, the then Government sugarcane expert with the prime objective of evolving varieties suitable for cultivation in sub-tropical India and for improving sugarcane productivity as well, the SBI was initially under the Government of India but became part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1969.
The ‘Co' varieties developed by this institute are cultivated widely throughout the country and the Co 86032, in particular, occupies more than 90 per cent of the cane area in Tamil Nadu.
The Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General, ICAR, Dr S. Ayyappan, is to launch the centenary celebration, said the SBI Director, Dr N. Vijayan Nair.