The Sugarcane Variety Co 0238 – A Reward to Farmers and Elixir to India’s Sugar Sector

The early maturing sugarcane variety Co 0238 (Karan 4) developed by ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal, Haryana has revolutionized sugar production in India. The variety gives high average yield (>81 t/ha) with a sugar recovery of more than 12%. The widespread cultivation of this variety has generated a cumulative gross value of ₹ 120.770 thousand crores during 2014–15 to 2017–18, accounting for ₹ 30,192 crores per year. The total additional benefit from sugar and by-products during the period was ₹ 28,795 crores or ₹ 7199 crores per year, bringing livelihood security and prosperity to lakhs of farmers and cheer to the sugar industry in the subtropical states, especially Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and Uttarakhand.