Coimbatore: The ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI) in Coimbatore is set to host a training programme titled 'Sugarcane Farming for Prosperity' on July 9 for tribal sugarcane farmers from Salem district.

The initiative, part of the Institute's ongoing outreach efforts, aims to empower tribal farmers through scientific know-how and best agricultural practices.

A special farmer-scientist interaction session is also scheduled for participants of the 'Farm School on All India Radio' on the same day, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion of field-level issues.

The training programme is being held under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribe Component (DAPSTC), a flagship initiative of ICAR-SBI. The project, which has been implemented across the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Eastern Ghats of Salem, and Attappady hills of Kerala, focuses on both physical interventions and capacity building to ensure sustainable development of tribal communities.

As part of the event, participating farmers will visit demonstration plots showcasing high-yielding sugarcane varieties, mechanized farming tools, and integrated farming models. They will also tour the Institute's museum.

A Tamil publication titled 'Sugarcane Farming for Prosperity' and a video documentary highlighting the impact of the DAPSTC project will be released during the event.

The training session will be inaugurated by Shri M.G. Ganesan, Project Director of Project Nilgiri Tahr. Tribal farmers from Salem and All India Radio's Farm School participants are expected to attend.