Report Mechanization of Sugarcane Harvesting- Opportunities & Challenges Organized by The Sugar Technologists Association of India (STAI) &

Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR) Venue Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR) April 27, 2012

The Sugar Technologists Association of India (STAI) organized an All India Seminar on Mechanization of Sugarcane Harvesting- Opportunities & Challenges The seminar was held, at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR) Lucknow. The objective of the Seminar was to contribute to the efforts of developing new methodology for Sugarcane Harvesting by introduction of Mechanization in farming techniques. The seminar was inaugurated by Mr. N.C. Bajpai, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, UP Govt. Mr. Bajpai in his inaugural address remarked that State Govt. is ready to extend financial and policy decision support for developing viable and feasible solution of Mechanized Sugarcane Harvesting in U.P. On this delightful occasion Dr. S. Solomon- Director: IISR welcomed the audience. Dr. GSC Rao- President STAI & Chief Executive Shimhaoli Sugars underlined the theme of the seminar. In the Inaugural Session Mr. SC Ahuja- General Manager- Bank of Baroda had focused on the bankers perspective on sugarcane farming. Mr. GB Singh- DG UPCAR had highlighted the various aspects of cane mechanization. Inaugural Session was summed up by Mr. AK Shukla- Secretary. General.
The seminar grabbed attention of more than two hundred delegates that embraces participation from NABARD, SBI, IOCL and BOB Sugar Mill owners, Leading Farmers, diplomats & trade negotiators from the Sugar and Allied Industry, to discuss and to propose strategies from the perspective of developing the

mechanization process. The Technical session titled Status of Sugarcane Harvesting in India was chaired by Dr. PR Singh- Principal Scientist & HeTd : Division of Agricultural Engineering- IISR, Mr. JH Kulkarni- Head R & D: Ugar Sugar Works Ltd, Dr. MP Sharma Principal Scientist & Head engineering Division-IISR and Mr. Hemant Joshi- General Manager (Sales) - John Deer. Technical Session following the lunch had panel discussion where several significant issues were brought up during the Seminar. The different perspective of Mechanization had been brought into consideration by the Industry as well as manufacturers. The session had wide range of discussions on issues pertaining to the implementation, as well as the proposals for new technologies towards cane mechanization. The panel comprised of representative from Simbhaoli Sugars, Dalmia Group, DSCL Group, BCML Group, Mahindra Applitrac, John Deere, New Holland Tractors, Shrijee Engineering Works and Leading Farmer. Implementation issues were also attended by the way of open house
discussions where question were dully answered by the experts from the industries. Dr. PR Singh, IISR closed by the daylong Seminar by his Vote of Thanks.