International Conference on Sugar and Integrated Industries (SUGARCON-2022) organized at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow

Four days International Conference- SUGARCON 2022 on “Sustainability of Sugar and Integrated Industries: Issues and Initiatives” was jointly organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow; Society for Sugar Research and Promotion (SSRP) and Association of Professionals in Sugar and Integrated Industries (ISPSIT) at Lucknow. Speaking as Chief Guest in the inaugural function on 16th October, 2022, Dr. T.R. Sharma, DDG (CS), ICAR New Delhi described sugarcane as a major contributor to the Indian economy and congratulated all the delegates on the World Food Day and urged the Scientists for development of climate – resilient, nutrient and water efficient varieties, value added products and development of new products from sugarcane juice, jaggery, molasses, ethanol and others as essential component of secondary agriculture. Dr. Sharma also advised sugar industry to participate in research in PPP mode by providing financial assistance to sugarcane research institutes. Dr. Sharma expressed the hope of developing new products through genome editing in sugarcane and releasing them after addressing the bio-safety issues. Dr. R.K. Singh, ADG (CC), ICAR expressed concern over coverage of more than 50% of the global cane area by only 10 varieties of sugarcane and said that in India also, more than 70% cane area is under two varieties namely Co 0238 and Co 86023.

At the outset, welcoming all the guests, Dr. A.D. Pathak, Director, IISR, Lucknow, threw light on the history of the establishment and achievements of the Institute. Dr. Sushil Solomon, Patron of the International Conference and former VC of CSAUA&T, Kanpur threw light on the theme of the conference and constraints being faced by sugar industry. The Organizing Secretary of the Conference, Dr. A.K. Sah, Principal Scientist presented in detail about structure, objectives and activities of the conference. Dr. G.P. Rao, Convener of the Conference discussed the achievements of SSRP. On this occasion, Drs. A.D. Pathak, G. Hemaprabha, S.C. Deshmukh, R. Viswanathan, A.K. Sah, S.N. Singh, Ramesh Sundar, Narendra Mohan and M. Swapna, were honoured with various awards in the Inaugural Session. On this occasion, officials associated with the sugar industry and sugarcane farmers were also awarded for their remarkable contributions. The Souvenir of the conference, the latest issue of SugarTech and a book on Sugar Beet Production in India were also released by the Chief Guest. Suagr Expo was also organized in the conference in which more than 40 manufacturers, suppliers, service providers displayed sugarcane harvesters, neem based urea, liquid phosphorus, organic fertilizers, organic jaggery, vinegar and various other products. Scientist– Farmer Interaction was also organized in which queries of sugarcane farmers were solved. Six technical sessions were organized in three parallel venues. Under oral categories 108 papers were presented. Under poster categories, three sessions were organized and 68 papers were presented. More than 300 delegates from India and 30 delegates from foreign countries like Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Egypt, Australia, Iran, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Cuba, Brazil and USA have participated in this Conference. About 300 farmers from Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur and Lucknow districts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the interaction. About 300 students and other visitors visited SugarExpo.

The valedictory session was organized on October 19, 2022 and was chaired by Sh. S.C. Deshmukh, Advisor, Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune. Dr. A.K. Sah, Organizing Secretary presented a brief report of the conference. Report on Technical Sessions (Oral as well as Poster Presentations) were presented and the major recommendations emerged out of deliberations were read out by Dr. S.K. Shukla and Dr. Sharmila Roy. Best papers presented in different Oral and Poster Sessions were also awarded. Dr. G.P. Rao, Conference Coordinator proposed formal vote of thanks in the valedictory session.