According to PR reports, these two types of sugarcane are called “Chabahar” and “Ghasreh Ghand”, which were identified in Sistan region in April of this year and were transferred to the Sugarcane Development Research Institute for commercial cultivation.
According to Dr. Abd Ali Naseri, “Adaptation to water shortage” and “Resistance to salinity” are two characteristics of the new species which are also compatible with the climatic conditions of Khuzestan.
The CEO of Sugarcane Development Co. pointed out other characteristics in the process of cultivating Ghasreh Ghand and Chabahar species in the Research Institute, and said: ” The new sugarcane varieties require less water to grow than other cultivars, and this advantage can make sugarcane fields resistant to water shortage and drought stress.”
So far, 5 commercial species of the Sugarcane plant have been introduced to the Agro-Industries by the Research Institute, and about 15 other varieties are under study.
Importing any new type of sugarcane costs between $ 5,000 to $ 15,000, and cultivation of these two species of sugarcane in the Research Institute saves significant amount of foreign exchange in the Sugarcane Companies.
The CEO of Sugarcane Research Institute has emphasized that there is a special view on sugarcane cultivars and the importance of replacing them with new varieties, and in this regard, important steps have been taken to increase yield and contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Sugarcane Development Research and Training Institute is the principal research and scientific institute in the field of sugarcane, which operates with the aim of providing scientific and technical services to all sugarcane Agro-Industries.