Achievements of last 7 years: Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI)

 In order to achieve food and nutritional security of the people of the country in the changing weather and climate, the name of Bangladesh Iksu Research Institute was changed to Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute from November 9, 2015 to conduct research activities on Iksu as well as other sugar producing crops. The significant achievements of BSRI in the last 7 (seven) years under the current government are- 

Development of Ikshu varieties: 6 high-yielding and high-sugar Ikshu varieties have been developed during this period. For example, Ishwardi 39, Ishwardi 40, BSRI sugarcane 41, BSRI sugarcane 42, BSRI sugarcane 43 and BSRI sugarcane 44. The average yield of these varieties is more than 100 tons per hectare and the sugar extraction rate is above 12 percent. These varieties are suitable for cultivation in various adverse conditions, especially in saline areas. Besides, the BSRI sugarcane variety 41 is especially suitable for making molasses, juice and chewing besides sugar. Its average yield is more than 150 tons per hectare. BSRI sugarcane 42 variety is also chewable and attractive.

Selection of sugar beet varieties: Since the amount of sugar and molasses produced from sugarcane, the main sugar producing crop of Bangladesh, is insufficient compared to the total domestic demand, cultivation of short-term tropical sugar beet has been introduced along with ikku. 9 cultivars of tropical sugar beet suitable for cultivation in Bangladesh viz., Shubra, Kaveri, HI-0044, HI-0473, CS-0327, CS-0328, SZ-35, PAC-60008 and SV-1 have been initially recommended for commercial cultivation of sugar beet. Will play an effective role in the field. Later, some more tropical sugar beet varieties were collected from different seed companies and research and evaluation activities on the varieties are continuing.

Use of Ikshu juice for immediate water and nutrition: After natural calamities like floods, cyclones etc. use of Ikshu juice for immediate water and nutrition has been recommended for year-round use of sugarcane produced by planting a few bushes of chewed sugarcane in the yard.

Sathicrop and Muri Ikchu Management The 'agronomic packages' of ikchu plantations including sathicrop have been developed and modernized.

E.g. Potato/Onion/Garlic with one row of Ikshu and Potato/Onion/Garlic-Mugdal/green manure with double row of Ikshu. Modernization of sugar cane management technology package to extract more sugar and make sugarcane cultivation more profitable.

Other technologies and agricultural mechanization: Ikshu fertilizer rates and application methods, irrigation and drainage, disease and insect management, agricultural machinery required for Ikshu cultivation have been modernized and the BSRI power weeder has been invented.

Also the technologies that have been developed from BSRI during the mentioned period are-

1. Two bacteria capable of biological nitrogen fixing have been identified;

2. Production technology of sugar beet granular molasses has been developed using indigenous technology;

3. Sugarbeet slicer machine developed;

4. The practical craft of sugarbeet has been developed by making nad-moa etc. at family level using molasses produced from sugarbeet;

5. Steps have been taken to alleviate poverty through selection of profitable molasses producing and chewing yaksu varieties and technologies suitable for cultivation in grassland and hilly areas and production or direct marketing of molasses;

6. Developed technologies for production, preservation and marketing of hygienic sugarcane granulated molasses purified by herbal methods;

7. Nipah virus free healthy date syrup, Golpata healthy molasses production, preservation and marketing technologies have been expanded;

8. Integrated crop management techniques of sugarbeet and sugarbeet are recommended to increase yield and achieve desired sugar extraction rates;

9. Calorie free sweetener stevia powder, stevia ready tea bags for diabetics and

10. Production and propagation of tissue cultured seedlings of sugarcane.

Implementation of development activities

Biotechnology Research Strengthening Project of Bangladesh Iksu Research Institute: Under this project under implementation from the financial year 2009-10, necessary equipment for biotechnology research, procurement of manpower, development of human resources and refinement of biotechnology laboratory have been done. Biotechnology has made it possible to produce seedlings resistant to red rot disease and organic growth of sugarbeet.

Pilot project for palm, date and golpa development: Under this project, which is being implemented from the financial year 2010-11, palm, date and golpa germplasm collection, seedling production technology and healthy molasses production technology have been developed and so far 1,78000 date palms and 38,000 palm trees have been developed. Saplings have been planted along the roadsides of the Road Department.

Ikkhu farming project to create employment for the poor people in the char area of Greater Rangpur: Under this project, under implementation since 2011-12 financial year, 2750 demonstration plots have been set up in the char area of Greater Rangpur area, 500 extension officers and 8000 farmers have been assigned to ikhu cultivation. Training provided, 15 mechanized high quality ikhu threshers and 1000 tonnes of ikhu seeds distributed. As a result, there is a great potential for Iksu cultivation and molasses production in these grazing areas and employment opportunities have also been created. In recognition of this success BSRI was awarded the Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award 1420