The Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Research Council (UPSRC), Shahjahanpur, has achieved a major milestone for sugarcane farmers. A newly developed high-yielding and red rot–resistant sugarcane variety named ‘Bismil’ has now been approved for cultivation not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan. Officials say this variety will help boost production while significantly reducing risks associated with sugarcane farming.
According to UPSRC Director V.K. Shukla, the ‘Bismil’ variety was earlier approved only for Uttar Pradesh. However, following clearance from the central committee, its cultivation has now been extended to four more states. This expansion will allow farmers to adopt an improved variety, while ensuring a steady and high-quality supply of raw material for the sugar industry.
Developed under the All India Coordinated Research Project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the scientific name of this variety is CoSha 17231. The name represents Coimbatore–Shahjahanpur, highlighting the collaborative research efforts behind its development. Experts consider it a significant advancement in Indian sugarcane research.
According to the breeder of the variety, Dr. Arvind Kumar, ‘Bismil’ is resistant to red rot, one of the most destructive diseases affecting sugarcane crops. Red rot causes heavy losses to farmers every year and can sometimes wipe out entire fields. The introduction of this resistant variety is expected to substantially reduce such risks.
Experts report that the average yield potential of ‘Bismil’ is around 86.35 tonnes per hectare, which is higher than many commonly grown varieties. In addition, the sugar recovery rate is about 13.97 percent, increasing the likelihood of better payments to farmers and higher profitability for sugar mills.
A Boost to Farmers’ Income:
Senior scientist Ajay Tiwari from the council stated that this variety will play an important role in enhancing farmers’ income. Higher yields, strong disease resistance, and improved sugar recovery are expected to result in better per-hectare returns. Increased sugar production will also contribute positively to the state and national economy.
Key Benefits of the ‘Bismil’ Sugarcane Variety:
According to Extension Officer Sanjeev Pathak, seeds of the ‘Bismil’ variety have already been distributed in all 42 sugarcane-producing districts of Uttar Pradesh. Early feedback from farmers and initial crop performance have been highly encouraging, indicating strong potential for large-scale adoption. Officials also noted that the variety has been named in honor of freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil, a key figure in the 1925 Kakori train action.
Expectations of Higher Sugar Production in Uttar Pradesh: Although the area under sugarcane cultivation in Uttar Pradesh has slightly declined this year, production trends remain positive. As per preliminary estimates by the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), sugar production in the state during the 2025–26 crushing season is expected to rise by about 2 percent to 10.3 million tonnes, compared to 10.1 million tonnes last year. Experts believe that advanced varieties like ‘Bismil’ will further strengthen this positive outlook.
Q1: What is the official name of the Bismil sugarcane variety?
A1: The official scientific name is CoSha 17231, developed under ICAR’s All India Coordinated Research Project.
Q2: Which states have approved the cultivation of Bismil sugarcane?
A2: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
Q3: What is the yield potential of the Bismil variety?
A3: About 86.35 tonnes per hectare.
Q4: Is Bismil resistant to red rot disease?
A4: Yes, it is specifically bred to be resistant to the destructive red rot disease.
Q5: How does Bismil help reduce cultivation costs?
A5: Due to its disease resistance, farmers spend less on pesticides and chemicals.
