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VASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTEVSI Bulletin : Vol.-16, Issue-2, July, 2016

Vol. 12, Issue - 4, December 2012

During the crushing season 2015-16, 178 sugar mills wereoperating in Maharashtra State, crushed 74.30 milliontonnes of sugarcane and produced 8.41 million tonnesof sugar. But for 2016-17 year, there is prediction in dropof sugar production by 20% as compared to previousseason due to severe drought in Maharashtra State. Thedrought by a delayed and inadequate monsoon is set todeepen the distress for its cultivators. It comes close onthe heels of the crop distress wreaked by the hailstormslast year which hit cultivators hard. Therefore,Maharashtra State is battling, overall 28,000 villages havebeen hit by drought across 20-22 districts. This includesthe entire Marathwada region, West Vidarbha, districtsof Ahmednagar, Solpaur and Sangli to an extent. Theagriculture department data showed that two-third ofthe State’s 1.37 crore farmers have been affected by thedrought which has impacted mainly the Marathwada andVidarbha regions. These areas have historically been themost deprived in the State.

In this context, Hon. President of VSI, Mr. Sharad Pawarinstructed the Institute’s scientists to conduct survey ofdrought affected areas in the State and its impact onsugarcane in collaboration with SBI, ICAR, Coimbatore.Mr. Sharad Pawar, also conducted a meeting of Chairmen& Managing Directors of sugar mills of the State to assistfinancial support to severely drought affectedMarathwada region and sorting out permanent remedialmeasures for water crisis. They stressed on vitality ofincreasing water use efficiency through sprinkler & dripirrigation for sugarcane cultivation.

VSI has already proved its strength by extension servicesto the Sugar Industry and is one of the best training

centre for the sugarcane agriculture and sugar & by-productIndustry. VSI has conducted four training programmes viz.“Advanced Technologies in Sugarcane Agriculture”,“Bagasse Based Co-generation”, “Sugarcane Agriculture”and “Short Term Training Program” to the employees of thesugar mills and the Agricultural Sciences and TechnologyDivision has organized three one-day workshops on“Drought & Disease Management in Sugarcane” , “MicroIrrigation Techniques in Sugarcane” and “GPS and GISTechnique for Soil Fertility Mapping” for Chief AgriculturalOfficers/Cane Development Officers of the sugar mills ofMaharashtra State. Dr. S V Patil talked on “Petroleum andExplosive Safety Organization Guidelines” for storage ofdenatured spirit having ethanol content of 99.5 % andexplosive norms. This event was organized by the Distillers’Association of Maharashtra and Ethanol Manufacture’sAssociation of India at Sahakar Maharshi Shankarrao Mohite-Patil SSK Ltd. Akluj.

During this quarter, important dignitaries visited VSI viz. LocalEnquiry Committee of SPPU, Pune; Dr. Sharad Kale, AssociateDirector, BARC, Mumbai; Mr. Sumit Mullick, Additional ChiefSecretary, Maharashtra State and Hon. Mr. VijaybapuShivtare, Minister for Water Resources & WaterConservations, Government of Maharashtra. The dignitariesappreciated VSI’s excellent infrastructure, analyticalfacilities, research activities and services provided to theSugar Industry and sugarcane growers.

VSI is organizing an International Conference & Exhibitionon “Sugarcane Value Chain – Vision 2025 Sugar” duringNovember 13-15, 2016. We invite you to join this grand eventand avail opportunities to interact with the scientists,technologists and stakeholders of the Sugar and AlliedIndustry.

VASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTE

Vol.-16, Issue-1, April 2016

(RM Devarumath)Editor


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ANNOUNCEMENTANNOUNCEMENT


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Ms. Nandita Mayur Naik hasjoined as 'Assistant TechnicalOfficer' in Department ofAlcohol Technology from May11, 2016. She has completedM.Sc. (Analytical Chemistry)from Savitribai Phule PuneUniversity. She has four years of

experience of working in analytical laboratory.

Mr. Eknath Pandurang Alhat hasjoined as 'Scientific Officer' inthe Department of EnvironmentSciences from May 2, 2016. Hehas done Post GraduateDiploma in EnvironmentalSciences from VSI and workedas Research Associate in the

same department. He has submitted his Ph.D. thesis

FLASH NEWSFLASH NEWS

Welcometo the Savitribai Phule Pune University in the subjectof Environmental Sciences.

Mr. Sagar Bapusaheb Takale hasjoined as 'Assistant ACMechanic' in Sugar EngineeringDepartment from May 2, 2016.

Mr. Rajesh Laxman Kadam hasjoined as 'Driver' inAdministration Section fromMay 2, 2016.

CongratulationsDr. Deepali S. Nimbalkar has been appointed as a member, Board of Studies in Environmental Sciences bySavitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune for a period of two years from January 2016.

The paper entitled “Diacetyl formation in molassesfermentation and its separation in distillation - A casestudy” by R S Patil and S V Patil, presented by Dr. S VPatil, Head & Technical Adviser, Department ofAlcohol Technology, VSI, and the research paperentitled “Formula for estimation of Heat Transfercoefficient in Multiple Evaporators” by M B Londhe,Pravin Dumanavar and R V Dani, presented by Mr.Pravin Dumanavar, Department of Sugar Technology,VSI. Both papers were presented in joint conventionof Sugar Technologist Association of India - DeccanSugar Technologiests' Association (STAI-DSTA) heldat Goa in September 2015. These two papers have

Gold Medal Awardsbeen selected for the prestigious Noel Deerr Goldmedal award by the council of the STAI.

STAI also declared & nominated for “ISGEC GoldMedal – Engineering” for excellence for the year2016, the gold medal to Mr. K R Patil, Head andTechnical Advisor, Sugar Engineering Department, VSI,for his recognition to the valuable contribution madeby him in the growth and development of the SugarIndustry.

These Awards will be given by the Chief Guest duringinaugural session of the 74th Annual Convention ofSTAI to be held on July 28, 2016 at New Delhi.


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Celebration of Maharashtra DayVSI celebrated 1st May as 56th Maharashtra Day, the day of commemorating the formation of the state ofMaharashtra from the division of the Bombay State on May 1, 1960 and it is also known as the InternationalLabour Day. National flag was hoisted by Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, Director General (DG), VSI and all the staffmembers and students attended the function.

DG, VSI hoisting the national flag Staff and Students attended flag ceremony

Management Committee MeetingsDuring the quarter, six management meetings wereheld viz., selection committee meeting on April 11,2016; two investment committee meetings on April

13 and June 26, 2016; the Governing Council & Tech-nical Committee Meetings on April 21, 2016 andBuilding & Purchase committee meeting held on May3, 2016.

President’s Special Meeting

Hon. Mr. Sharad Pawar, President, VSI convenedspecial meeting of Chairmen/Managing Directors of

sugar mills of Maharashtra on April 21, 2016 at VSIto discuss drought situation particularly in

Hon. Mr. Sharad Pawar, President, VSI discussing onassistance for drought affected area of

Marathwada region

The Chairmen & Board of Directors of sugar millsof MS were present in the meeting


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Marathwada region and solution to the water crisisin the State. Hon. Mr. Chandrakant Patil, Minister forCo-operation, Maharashtra State was the Chief Guestand the various dignitaries viz. Mr. Ajit Pawar, Ex-deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra State; Mr. DilipWalase Patil, President, NFCS, New Delhi; Mr.Shivajirao Nagwade, Chairman, Maharashtra RajyaSakhar Sangh, Mumbai; Mr. Jayatrao Patil, Mr.Balasaheb Thorat; Mr. Vijaysingh Mohite Patil andChairmen & Managing Director of 99 sugar mills werepresent in the meeting.

The President, VSI addressed the gathering and statedthat Marathwada region is severely affected bydrought and water crisis. Instead of resorting topiecemeal solution for drought conditions, there is aneed to find out a permanent solution. He asked the

sugar mills in the State to contribute Rs. 10 lakh eachtowards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, which canbe used for desilting the water canals, lakes and riversin Marathwada region to ensure more water storageand increase ground water table. In addition, sugarmills can also contribute another Rs. 15 lakh each forsuch work in their operational area from the sharecapital. He asked the State Government to ensure thatno audit paras are raised for such contributions.

The Co-operation Minister, appreciated the decisiontaken by the State’s Sugar Industry to provide financialassistance to face drought situation in Marathwadaregion and said every drop of rain must be stored bydeepening water storages, and rivers etc to increaseground water table. He appealed to the sugar millsto increase sugarcane area under drip irrigation anduse water more effificiently.


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NEWS UPDATESNEWS UPDATES

An interface meeting between Vasantdada SugarInstitute (VSI) and Indian Council of AgricultureResearch (ICAR), New Delhi was organized on April25, 2016 in the office of the Deputy Director General(Crop Science), KrishI Bhavan, New Delhi to discussabout the development of genetically modifieddrought tolerant sugarcane using betA gene.

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, VSI, Dr. K Harinath Babu,Senior Scientist, MB & GE, VSI, Dr. J S Sandhu, DDG(CS), Dr. R K Singh, ADG (CC), Dr. Sanjeev Saxena,ADG (IPTM), Dr. T K Sharma, Project Director, IARI,Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, SBI, Coimbatore and Dr. Y PSingh, Principal Scientist from ICAR attended themeeting.

In the meeting they decided that the work of isolationof betA & betB genes from microorganism,optimization of codon sequence, development of geneconstruction using suitable promoter and terminatorwill be done jointly. Dr. T R Sharma, PD, IARI will takelead in this work involving SBI and VSI scientists.Once the construct is ready, transformation work willbe carried out at SBI and VSI on selected sugarcanegenotypes.

Survey of drought affected sugarcane area is to becompleted by SBI and VSI. Drought tolerant clonesavailable at SBI, Coimbatore will be evaluated inMaharashtra State in collaboration with VSI, Pune andNIASM, Baramati. SBI, Coimbatore and VSI, Pune willidentify other areas of collaboration on sugarcaneresearch.

Interface meeting between VSI-ICAR

An interactive meeting was held between SBI, ICAR,Coimbatore and scientist of VSI, Pune under thechairmanship of Director General (ICAR) at New Delhion April 25, 2016 to discuss the impact of drought onsugarcane and other crops in Maharashtra. In theconclusion it was decided to conduct survey in thedrought affected areas of Maharashtra. Four teamsof subject experts from ICAR-Sugarcane BreedingInstitute (SBI), Coimbatore and VSI, Pune had visitedrespective regions during May 16-19, 2016 anddocumented the extent of drought and level of affectto the crops.

These teams studied the rainfall pattern in respectiveregions and revealed Kolhapur had the highest61.20% of deficit rainfall followed by Parabhani(49.68%), Solapur (49.08%), Nashik (46.62%) andLatur (43.71%) during the year 2015,. Seven moredistricts showed more than 30% deficit rainfall. This

situation had significantly affected productivity ofdifferent crops including sugarcane.

Drought situation severely affected on sugarcaneplantation in the State and it is expected thatsugarcane availability for the Sugar Industry duringforthcoming 2016-17 crushing season will be in therange of 50-55 million tonnes. Therefore out of 178operating sugar mills only 40-50% of sugar mills maystart in the crushing season 2016-17.

The team made the following recommendations forthe management of sugarcane under droughtcondition.

1. The dominant varieties in the region are Co86032 and CoM 0265. Both are tolerant todrought to short period of two months duringthe critical stage. If no rain or not irrigated formore than two months, due to increased

Survey in the drought affected areas of Maharashtra


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atmospheric temperature will affect the cropsignificantly.

2. Adsali crop escaped from the drought during theformative phase of the crop as tillering has beencompleted before the onset of drought. Suruseason planted crop is highly sensitive as theformative phase coincided with the droughtperiod (March-May) hence suru season plantingmay be restricted when drought is predicted.

3. However, Jan-Feb ratoon crop can be saved iftrash mulching is practiced. If little water sourceis available drip irrigation with long interval cansustain the crop up to the onset of monsoon.

4. Trash mulching in alternate rows and irrigationonce in a month can also save more waterwithout compromising the yield.

5. Newly introduced varieties like VSI 12121 andCoM 12081 can be tested in larger areas forassessing the potential of these varieties underdrought conditions.

Marathwada Dr. Bakshi Ram,Director Dr. R S Hapase, Principal Scientist & Head,Plant BreedingDr. K. Harinath Babu, Senior Scientist, MB & GE

Southern Dr. P. Govindaraj, Principal Mr. P N Tawar, Senior Scientist, Tissue CultureScientist, Plant Breeding Dr. K V Sushir, Scientist, Plant Breeding

Central Dr. Anna Durai, Principal Mr. P P Shinde, Scientist, Agril. EngineeringScientist, Plant Breeding Dr. J M Repale, Scientist, Plant Breeding

Khandesh & Dr. R Karuppaiyan, Senior Mr. P R Hapse, Scientist &Vidarbha Scientist, Plant Breeding Mr. D S Pawar, Technical Officer, Plant Breeding

Region Team members ICAR-SBI,Coimbatore

Team members VSI, Pune

6. Drought tolerant transgenic sugarcane varietiescan be tested for their expression andadaptability to the drought condition andsuitable transgenic varieties with increaseddrought tolerant can be recommended forcultivation under containment facility.

7. Precautionary measures such as sett treatmentwith lime solution and foliar application of ureaand potash can prolong the expression ofdrought symptoms in the early part of the crop.

8. Depletion of water table is a major problem inlift irrigation. Water harvesting structures canbe constructed for recharge of ground water.

9. ICAR- SBI, Coimbatore has identified 17 droughttolerant clones. Seed materials of these cloneswill be supplied to six sugar mills of state inthe month of December, 2016 for initialmultiplication and further testing in droughtprone areas of the sugar mill.

Minutes of 24th Institutional Bio-Safety Committee (IBSC) MeetingThe 24th meeting of Institutional Bio-Safety Committee(IBSC) of VSI was held on May 20, 2016 under thechairmanship of Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, VSI inpresence of Dr. P Suprasanna, Head, FPBS, NABTD,BARC, Mumbai and DBT nominee, Dr. Vidya Gupta,Scientist-G & Chairperson, Biochemical Division, NCL,Pune, Dr. K Harinath Babu, Sr. Scientist, VSI, Member

Secretary, Dr. R M Devarumath, Scientist and Dr. S GDalvi, Scientific Officer, VSI Members. They discussedabout various issues related to progress of work,bio-safety and developing collaborations within andoutside India for drought tolerant sugarcane.


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Minutes of Technical CommitteeThe Technical Committee meeting was held on April21-22, 2016 for the review of completed experimentsduring 2015-16; ongoing technical performance ofeach experiment and future research program for2016-17 of all technical departments/sections of theInstitute. Following members were present in themeeting.

1. Mr. Narendra Murkumbi, Chairman2. Mr. Shivajirao Patil, Vice President3. Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, Director General,

VSI4. Mr. Arvind Gore5. Mr. Jayantrao Patil6. Mr. Ganpatrao Tidke

7. Dr. Indrajeet Mohite8. Mr. Shivendraraje A. Bhosale

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, VSI, welcomed Chairmanand other members of the Technical Committee. Allthe technical departments and sectional headspresented their research work before the TechnicalCommittee and discussed about the progress of workand future plan of action.

The meeting was concluded with vote of thanks tothe Chairman and all committee members for theirvaluable inputs for improvement in the research fieldon the basis of presentations made.

VSI’s Research Recommendations Approved in Joint AGRESCOThe joint AGRESCO meeting of four AgriculturalUniversities under Maharashtra Council ofAgricultural Education and Research (MCAER) washeld during May 28-30, 2016 at Dr. PanjabraoDeshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. For the inauguralfunction following dignitaries were present.

1. Hon. Mr. Devendra Phadanvis, Chief Minister(CM), Maharashtra State.

2. Hon. Mr. Eknath Khadase, Minister of Finance,Agriculture and Horticulture and Chancellor,Agricultural Universities, Maharashtra State.

3. Hon. Mr. Rajivpratap Rudi, Minister of State(Independent Charge) for Skill, Developmentand Entrepreneurship, Parliamentary affairs.

4. Hon. Mr. Vishnu Deo Sahay, Minister of State,Mines, Steel, Labour and Employment.

5. Hon. Mr. Ram Kharche, Vice- President,MCAER, Pune.

6. Hon. Vice Chancellors of four AgriculturalUniversities of Maharashtra State.

Hon. Mr. Devendra Phadanvis, CM, Maharashtra Statein his inaugural speech appreciated the research workcarried out by agricultural scientists during last yearwhich has resulted in with 256 recommendations.He suggested that scientists should formulate their

research programs according to the climate resiliencefor the benefit of farmers in drought situation.Five agricultural scientists from VSI viz. Dr. R S Hapase,Head & Principal Scientist, Plant Breeding, Dr. D BPhonde, Senior Scientist & Head, Soil Science, Mr. P PShinde, Scientist & Head, Irrigation & Mechanization,Mrs. R R More, Scientist & Head, Microbiology andDr. J M Repale, Scientist, Plant Breeding participatedin the meeting and presented their research projects.Following recommendations by VSI were approved inthe meeting and these recommendations are usefulfrom the farmers' point of view.1. Recommendation in Soil ScienceFoliar application of Multimacronutrient (N-8%, P-8%,K-8%) and Multimicronutrient (Grade II: Fe-2.5%, Mn-1%, Zn-3%, Cu-1%, Mo-0.1%, B-0.5%) liquid fertilizers@ 5 L each in 500 L water at 60 days and secondspray @ 7.5 L each in 750 L water at 90 days afterplanting or ratooning with general recommended doseof nutrient is recommended for higher sugarcaneyield and returns.2. Recommendation in Agril. EngineeringApplication of 60% recommended dose of NPKnutrients in the form of Urea, Phosphoric acid andMuriate of potash in 19 splits at fortnight interval up


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to 9 months crop age as per following schedule isrecommended in suru sugarcane for higher yield and

returns under drip irrigation in medium deep soils.

3. Recommendation of Agril. Microbiology SectionThe Application of recommended dose of compost @25t ha-1 coupled with bagasse ash @1.5 t ha-1 andconsortium of Silicate Solubilizing Bacterial (SSB) liquidbioinoculant @ 2.5 L ha-1 at the time of sugarcaneplanting with recommended dose of nutrient isrecommended for increasing plant available silicon andhigher yield of plant cane and its successive ratoon crop.

4. Recommendation of Varieties release committeefor different cropsThe midlate maturing sugarcane variety CoVSI 03102is recommended for cultivation in Pre-season and Suruseasons for sugarcane growing areas of high rainfallzone of Maharashtra.

Weeks after Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P2O5) Potassium ( K2O) planting % Kg/ha-1 % Kg/ha-1 % Kg/ha-1

Planting 1 1.5 1 0.7 1 0.72 2 3.0 2 1.4 2 1.44 2 3.0 2 1.4 2 1.46 4 6.0 4 2.8 2 1.48 6 9.0 6 4.2 3 2.1

10 6 9.0 6 4.2 4 2.812 8 12.0 8 5.6 5 3.514 8 12.0 8 5.6 6 4.216 8 12.0 8 5.6 7 4.918 9 13.5 9 6.3 5 3.520 9 13.5 9 6.3 5 3.522 10 15.0 10 7.0 8 5.624 9 13.5 9 6.3 9 6.326 6 9.0 6 4.2 8 5.628 4 6.0 4 2.8 7 4.930 3 4.5 3 2.1 7 4.932 2 3.0 2 1.4 7 4.934 2 3.0 2 1.4 6 4.236 1 1.5 1 0.7 6 4.2

Total 100 150 100 70 100 70


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25th Annual Meeting of the International Consortiumfor Sugarcane Bio-technology (ICSB) was held fromMay 31, 2016 to June 3, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. Mr.Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, VSI and Dr. R V Dani, Head& Technical Advisor, Sugar Technology Department,VSI attended the meeting. ICSB had organized visitprogram to see sugarcane field, sugarcane museum

Technical Tour to Colombia

and sugar plant- “Imgemio Providemcia S.A.” having10000 TCD. DG, VSI invited all participants of ICSBmembers for International Conference on 'SugarcaneValue Chain- Vision 2025 Sugar' during November2016 at VSI, Pune, India Maharashtra.

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG & Dr. R V Dani, Head & Technical advisor,VSI with ICSB members at Colombia


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TRAINING PROGRAMMESTRAINING PROGRAMMES

Agricultural Sciences and Technology Division of VSIhas conducted a special residential trainingprogramme on “Advanced Technologies inSugarcane Agriculture”for 165 AgriculturalOfficers and Assistants ofBaramati Agro. Ltd., (Unit-1 & 2) during April 4-7,2016.The management of sugarmill had sponsored thetraining programme fortheir agricultural staff withthe aim that they would becarry out sugarcanedevelopment activities inthe operational area of thesugar mill.The training programme was inaugurated by seniorofficers of sugar mill viz., Mr. S K Bhakare, Agril. Officer,Mr. Haridas Bangar, Agril. Officer and Mr. P T Khot,Cane Development Manager in presence of agriculturalstaff of VSI. Mr. B H Pawar welcomed all theparticipants and introduced activities and services ofVSI and informed the schedule of the trainingprogramme.During the four days training emphasis was given onvarious topics like sugarcane varieties and varietal

Training Programme on “Advanced Technologies in Sugarcane Agriculture”planning, three tier seed nursery programme, tissueculture use in seed nursery and varietal development,advanced planting techniques, soil fertility and

fertilizer management,irrigation water management,use of bio-fertilizers, farmmechanization, sugarcaneeconomics, ratoonmanagement and integrateddisease & pest managementwere covered by respectiveagricultural scientists.Participants were assessedfor their understanding ofvarious aspects of sugarcaneagriculture during the trainingperiod.In discussion forum, the

trainees got their doubts cleared from the subjectexperts. In the concluding session, Mr. ShivajiraoDeshmukh, DG, VSI advised the trainees fordissemination of knowledge and technologies tosugarcane growers to improve sugarcane productivity.Mr. Subhash Gulave, Vice-Chairman, Baramati Agro Ltd.,expressed his satisfaction. The programme wasconcluded with the distribution of the certificates tothe participants.

Mr. S K Bhakare & other representatives ofBaramati Agro Ltd. and sectional Heads of VSI

inaugurating the training program

Mr. Subhash Gulave, Vice-Chairman, Baramati AgroLtd. expressing views on benefits of training

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG addressing to theparticipants


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The Sugar Engineering Department of VSI organizeda one week residential training programme on“Bagasse Based Co-generation” during May 9-14,2016 at VSI, Pune. Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, VSIinaugurated the training programme.

In this event 37 delegates participated from 17 sugarmills from Maharashtra. The lectures were deliveredon important topics of co-generation including boiler,turbo generator set, water treatment plant, coolingtower, automation, electro-static precipitator, switchyard, and new up-coming technologies in the field of

Training Programme on “Bagasse Based Co-generation”power generation. Excellent interaction took placebetween the delegates and the speakers.

A visit was organized for participants to Sonhira SSKLtd., Dist. Sangli on May 14, 2016 to observe theoperation and maintenance of bagasse based Co-generation plant of 22 MW installed capacity. Mr.Mohanrao Kadam, Chairman, Sonhira SSK addressedthe delegates and discussed the benefits of co-generation project. The programme was informativeand useful to the delegates and was appreciated byone and all.

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG inaugurating the trainingprogramme with technical heads of VSI

DG & technical staff of VSI with participants


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Training Program on “Sugarcane Agriculture”A four days residential training programme on“Sugarcane Agriculture” was conducted byAgricultural Sciences and Technology Division of VSIfor Sales Engineers and Agronomists of Mahindra EPCIndustries Ltd., during June 15-18, 2016 at VSI. Thistraining program was sponsored by Mahindra EPCIndustries Ltd., with theobjective to learn the recenttechnologies in sugarcaneagriculture by their 25 SalesEngineers and Agronomistsworking in five sugarcanestates viz. Maharashtra,Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.The training programme wasinaugurated by Mr. SanjeevMohoni, CEO, Mahindra EPCIndustries Ltd. in presence ofMr. Somesh Dravid, Head, HR,Mahindra Agri. Business; Mr.Abhijit Page, Head, Sales & Marketing; Mr. MilindKhapre, Head, Operation, EPC; Mr. K G Soman., Head,Engineering & Quality; Mr. Ghanashyam Hedgekatte,Manager, HR and all the sectional heads of theAgricultural Division of VSI.Dr. Harinath Babu, Senior Scientist and Head,Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering Section, VSIwelcomed all the officials and staff of the MahindraEPC Industries Ltd. and staff of VSI. He thankedmanagement of Mahindra EPC Industries Ltd. for

Mr. Sanjeev Mohoni, CEO, Mahindra EPC Ind.inaugurating the training programme along with

dignitaries and Heads of Agricultures

giving an opportunity to train their manpower at VSI.He informed the schedule of the training programmeto the participants and expected cooperation fromthe trainees for grand success of training.In the training different aspects of sugarcaneagriculture like varietal development, tissue culture,

planting techniques,settling transplanting(STP), Integrated nutrientm a n a g e m e n t ,biofertilizers, irrigationwater management, farmmechanization, sugarcaneeconomics, ratoonmanagement, integrateddisease & pestmanagement etc werecovered by differentfaculties of AgriculturalSciences and technologyDivision.

The farewell function was attended by Mr. ShivajiraoDeshmukh, DG, VSI; Mr. Tajane, Chief Agronomist,Mahindra EPC Industries and agricultural scientists ofVSI. DG, VSI appealed to the trainees for disseminationof knowledge of modern technologies in sugarcaneagriculture. The training programme was concluded withdistribution of certificates to the participants by thehands of DG, VSI. Mr. B H Pawar, Senior Scientist andHead, Plant Pathology Section coordinated this trainingprogramme.

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG addressing theparticipants to explore the knowledge of modern

techniques in sugarcane at cane growers field

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG giving certificates toMr. Tajane, Chief Agronomist, Mahindra EPC Ind.


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Short Term Training Program (STTP)

VSI offers Short Term Training Program (STTP) forthe employees of sugar mills to cover the specificneeds of the Sugar Industry. These courses enhancetheir working knowledge and adoption of the latestnew technologies to improve technical efficienciesof sugar mills and distilleries. These STTP courses

have been widely accepted and adopted by the sugarmills and they treat courses as essential criteria forgranting promotion to higher grade to their staff. Thenumber of trainees sponsored by the sugar mills /distilleries who attended various STTP courses duringJune 13-24, 2016 as given below:

Sr. Course Title Duration Number of No. Trainees

1 Juice Clarification & Evaporation June 13-18, 2016 252 Pan Boiling & Centrifugals June 13-18, 2016 483 Boiler Attendant June 13-18, 2016 254 Mill Foreman June 13-18, 2016 205 Turbine Attendant June 13-18, 2016 156 Fermentation & Distillation techniques in distillery June 13-18, 2016 277 Techniques in Analytical Instrumentation June 13-18, 2016 048 Repairs & Maintenance of Sugar Mill Instruments. June 13-24, 2016 249 Pollution Control and Environment Management in June 13-18, 2016 11

Sugar Mill Total Trainees Nos. 199


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WORKSHOPSWORKSHOPSOne Day Workshop on “Drought & Disease Management in Sugarcane”

One Day Workshop on “Drought & DiseaseManagement in Sugarcane” was organized at VSIPune on April 2, 2016 for the Agricultural Officers,Cane Development Officers and AgriculturalGraduates working in the sugar mills of MaharashtraState. In total 65 participants attended the workshopfrom 28 sugar mills of State. In the introductoryaddress, Dr. R S Hapase, Principal Scientist and Head,Plant Breeding, VSI, Pune welcomed all participantsand explained the importance of management ofsugarcane in the drought condition. He also informedon improvement of sugarcane varieties throughbreeding program for abiotic and biotic stresses.

Mr. P R Hapase, Scientist, Plant Breeding madepresentation on the control measures for maintainingthe sugarcane in drought situation. Mr. B H Pawar,Senior Scientist and Head, Plant Pathology gavelecture on the important diseases observed onsugarcane under drought condition and controlmeasures to reduce the losses in sugarcaneproductivity.

Cane Development Officers from some sugar millsshared their experiences of adoption of practices ofthe management of sugarcane under droughtsituation.

Following recommendations were finalized in theworkshop

1. Mulching of trash should be done in ratooncrop on top priority.

2. The area under adsali crop should bemaintained up to 15% and preseason up to30%. Remaining area should be of suru plantedcrop. Care should be taken that maximum caneshould be planted in August, so that caneshould be harvested at 14 months instead of19-20 months.

3. Area under diseases and pests should bemonitored at regular intervals and controlmeasures were taken on priority

4. Root borer and shoot borer should bemonitored on first and second ratoon crop

The representatives of sugar mills inauguratingthe training program

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG addressing theparticipants


One day Workshop on “Micro Irrigation Techniquesin Sugarcane” was conducted on April 23, 2016 atVSI Pune for Agricultural Officers, Cane DevelopmentOfficers and Agricultural Graduates working in thesugar mills. In this workshop 82 participants from 37sugar mills attended.Dr. S S Magar, Ex. Vice Chancellor, Dr. BalasahebSawant Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli addressed to theparticipants urged the need of micro irrigationtechniques in sugarcane crop for higher productivity.He emphasized that in view of water scarcity andincreasing prices of chemical fertilizers, the use ofdrip irrigation with fertigation technique in sugarcaneis a need of an hour for sustained sugarcaneproductivity. Mr. S S Katake, Farm Manager, VSI sharedhis experience of using micro irrigation systems forsugarcane seed production at VSI farms.In the technical session, presentation on “ImportantAspects of Micro Irrigation Systems in SugarcaneAgriculture” was made by Mr. P P Shinde, Scientist &Head, Agricultural Engineering, VSI. He highlightedthe different micro irrigation systems used insugarcane agriculture with its merits and demerits,components of the drip system and their functions,water requirement of sugarcane under drip system,fertigation through micro irrigation systems, qualityassurance and maintenance schedule of drip irrigationsystem after installation. Apart from this therepresentatives of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., Jalgaon,Finolex Plasson Industries Pvt. Ltd. Pune, NetafimIrrigation India Pvt. Ltd. Pune and Kothari Agritech

One Day Workshop on “Micro Irrigation Techniques in Sugarcane”Pvt. Ltd. Solapur made presentations on their productsand different machinery of drip irrigation systems insugarcane. The representatives of three sugar millsalso shared their experiences of using the dripirrigation for sugarcane in the operational area of theirsugar mills.The topic was open for discussion and concludingremarks was held under the Chairmanship of Mr.Shivajirao Deshmukh, Director General, VSI, Pune. Thesugar mill officers actively participated in thediscussions to interact with subjects experts. TheDirector General in his concluding remarks expressedthat the mill officers should take the interest in thecane development work and make the phase wiseprogram of drip irrigation. He expected better aftersale service from the drip manufacturer to the farmers.Following recommendations were finalized in theworkshop

· Fertigation should be made mandatory for thedrip irrigated sugarcane in the sugar factoryoperational area.

· Sugar factory should have appropriate andtrained man power for successfulimplementation of the drip irrigation programin sugarcane.The prompt after sale service should beprovided by the drip manufacturing andsupplying companies to the cultivators forachieving the expected results of drip irrigationin sugarcane agriculture.

The representatives of Jain Irrigation, Finolex andNetafim inaugurating the training program

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Dr S S Magar, Ex-VC, Dr BSKV, Dapoli &Mr. Shivajirao Desmukh, DG, VSI


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A one day workshop on “Global Positioning System(GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS)Technique for Soil Fertility Mapping” was held onJune 4, 2016 at VSI. This workshop was dealt withthe use of remote sensing GIS and GPS techniques insugarcane agriculture ingeneral and use of GPS andGIS technique in soil fertilitymapping in particular. Soilfertility mapping andfertilizer management isbecoming vital in increasingsugarcane productivity andmaintain the soil fertility.

The workshop wasinaugurated by the ChiefGuest, Dr. R K Naitam,Scientist from NationalBureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS& LUP), Regional Centre, Udaipur, Rajasthan. In total109 participants from 53 sugar mills in the Stateattended this workshop.

In the introductory address, Dr. D B Phonde, SeniorScientist & Head, Soil Science Section, VSI explainedthe important concepts of precision farming in relationto increasing productivity, minimizing production costand the environmental impact. He explained the vitalrole of GIS and GPS techniques in storage of data relatedwith soil parameters, its analysis and generation ofreports. The GIS is useful to study the relationshipbetween different variables of natural resources andcropping sequences that generates new informationcan be employed for decision making in each step ofcrop production technology for sustainable productivity.

Dr. Naitam explained basics of remote sensing likeremote sensing process, concept of signature, typesof remote sensing, kinds of satellite, visual and digitalimage interpretation. He also explained remotesensing application in crop inventory, acreageestimation, cropping system analysis, production

One Day Workshop on “GPS and GIS Technique for Soil Fertility Mapping”estimation, crop monitoring and conditionassessment. He also explained use of hyper spectralsensors for identification of stress detection, varietaldiscrimination and disease identification.

Dr. Preeti Deshmukh in herdeliberation stated lack ofknowledge among thefarmers regarding nutrientmanagement. Heavy andimbalanced fertilizerapplication withoutconsidering nutrient statusof their soils hampered thecrop productivity. Therefore,there is a need to bringawareness among thefarmers about nature andseverity of the nutrient

problems in soils for a prudent decision to makescientific fertilizer management. Despite theintensive sugarcane cultivation in the State, still thereis lack of detailed spatial information showing thenutrient status in the soils. In this context, sheappealed to the participants to prepare detailed soilfertility maps of the operational area of the sugarmills with the help of GPS and GIS technique forprecise sugarcane management. Recentdevelopments in GIS, remote sensing and GPStechniques have much more to offer in soil fertilitymapping. She explained steps for generating thematicmaps, grid soil sampling, kriging interpolationtechnique and preparation of soil fertility maps withthe GPS and GIS techniques.

Workshop was concluded with suggestion that eachsugar mill have to undertake project on preparationof soil fertility mapping of their operationalsugarcane area by using GPS & GIS techniques andthe technical guidance will be provided by the SoilScientists from the Institute. Workshop was concludedwith vote of thanks by Mrs. Jyoti Kharade.

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Dr. R K Naitam, Scientist (NBSS & LUP), Rajasthaninaugurating the training program


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PARTICIPATION BY VSI SCIENTISTS/TECHNOLOGISTSPARTICIPATION BY VSI SCIENTISTS/TECHNOLOGISTS

Presentation on- “Explosive License for Ethanol Storage”National Green Tribunal (NGT) has passed an orderon May 9, 2016 stating that no manufacturer willproduce Absolute Alcohol (Fuel Ethanol) withoutseeking appropriate permission from the Ministry ofCommerce, Chief Controller Explosives and otherAuthorities, in accordance with law. NGT is in viewof the fact that under the Manufacture, Storage andImport of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 andChemical Accidents (Emergency Planning,Preparedness and Response) Rules 1996 as notifiedunder the provision of Environment (Protection) Act,1986 such permission is required.

In context with this order it has become necessaryfor all ethanol projects in the country to comply withthe explosive norms. Distillers’ Association ofMaharashtra (DAM) and Ethanol Manufacturer’sAssociation of India (EMAI) organized a meeting ofall molasses based distilleries and ethanolmanufacturers on June 11, 2016 at Sahakar MaharshiShankarrao Mohite-Patil SSK Ltd., Akluj to discuss thisissue in detail.

Dr. S V Patil, Head & Technical Adviser, Departmentof Alcohol Technology, VSI, was invited to thismeeting for providing guidance to the distilleries inMaharashtra. Accordingly, Dr. S V Patil made apresentation on PESO (Petroleum and ExplosiveSafety Organization) Guidelines for storage ofdenatured spirit having ethanol content of 99.5% andmore. The presentation covered various aspects ofthe norms such as requirement of the dyke wall,distance between different storage sections/dykewalls, distance between the storage tanks, distancebetween the tanks and the loading/unloading area,distance between storage tanks and office buildings/

workshop/stores/amenities/fire station within theinstallation etc. He emphasize that ethanol has to beconsidered as Class-A explosive and the storage tankfabrication (above ground) has to be carried out asper BIS:803 standard. He also provided a typical lay-out plan for ethanol storage as per the explosive normsand procedure for the documents to be submittedalong with the application form (Form XV – License tostore and import petroleum in an installation) to theChief Controller Explosives, Nagpur. Dr. S V Patil alsobrought to the notice of the audience that ethanolhas a flash point of 17oC whereas rectified spirit orextra neutral alcohol has a flash point of 18oC andanything having flash point below 21oC should comeunder explosive norms.

Discussion also took place about the approach to betaken by the distilleries to resolve this issue, expectedexpenditure, limitations for the old distillery units foradopting these norms, time limit, whether it is possibleto challenge this order in the court of law etc. Timebeing it was decided that the Mr. Vijaysinha Mohite-Patil, President, EMAI will approach Mr. PrakashJawadekar, Minister for Environment of Forests,Government of India to find out if any solution to thisissue can be worked-out.


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GUEST LECTUREGUEST LECTURELecture of renowned Wine Experts delivered to M.Sc. (WBAT) course students

The Department of Alcohol Technology invites guestspeakers/subject experts to deliver special lecturesfor the students. Mr. AmitKewal, Director, KewalWines, France and Mr.Gorakh Gaikwad, (DGM & Sr.Winemaker-Red Wines, SulaVineyards) were invited onApril 22, 2016 and May 9,2016 respectively.

On April 22, 2016, Mr. AmitKewal delivered a lecture on“Current Global Scenario ofWine Industry” to M.Sc.(WBAT) students. Dr. S VPatil, Technical Adviser & Head, Department ofAlcohol Technology introduced Mr. Amit Kewal abouthis contribution to the Wine Industry and hisrelationship with VSI. Mr. Kewal provided review ofglobal scenario of wine production and consumption.As per his opinion, there is very rapid growth of wineindustry in India and also in various countries suchas China, Chile, Australia etc. He shared hisviticulture experience in France. He has sharedinformation on prominent grape varieties cultivatedin France and precautions to be taken till harvestingof the grapes. He also explained protocols forcrushing, fermentation, maturation practices andbottling etc.

On May 9, 2016, Mr. Gorakh Gaikwad delivered alecture on “Viticulture Practices in India”. Dr. S VPatil introduced him to the students and gave briefaccount of activities carried by him at Sula Vineyards.Mr. Gorakh Gaikwad gave information of Sulavineyards based in Nashik. Sula vineyard isprominently growing grapes such as CabernetSauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Melbac, Zinfandel,Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc.

Mr. Gaikwad further informed that they have trainedviticulturist and farmers every year for cultivating

good quality grapes andthey give bonus & awards toencourage to the vineyardfarmers. Mr. Gaikwadinformed that Sula vineyardis having contracts withgrape growers and pay themas per quality and quantityof grapes. He furtherinformed that they havearound 1800 hectares undercontract farming.

Mr Gorakh Gaikwadprovided information on factors to be consideredbefore harvesting of grapes. He stated that brix, grapematurity, colour, phenolics, aroma and acidity areimportant parameters to be considered for makingquality wine.

At the end of lecture students asked many questionsincluding precautions to be taken while makingsparkling wine. Mr. Gorakh Gaikwad replied thatprecautions have to be taken right from harvestingand its compliance is very important. Mr. Gaikwadstated that they choose less aromatic variety forsparkling wines and also carry fermentation andsecondary fermentation under controlled conditionsat the same time, carbonation has to be keptappropriate. M.Sc. (WBAT) students also askedquestions regarding aging of wine. Mr. Gaikwadreplied that it depends on grape variety, wine styleand wine quality. He also gave information on roleand addition of sulphurdioxide during winepreparation.

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Dr. S V Patil, Head & Technical Adviser, VSIinteracting with students of WBAT course


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VISIT OF DEGNITARIESVISIT OF DEGNITARIES

A joint collaborative project between VSI, Pune andBhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Mumbai fordevelopment of biostimulator for sugarcane wasfunded by Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of Indiafor the period of 2012-2016. Work is initiated withmicropropgated sugarcane plantlets and single eyebud settlings. Later on multilocation replicated trialswere conducted at five locations are: VSI, Pune; CSRS,Padegaon; Vignhar SSK, Junnar; K S Kale SSK,Kopergaon and Ch. Shahu SSK, Kolhapur. Apart fromthis, there were demonstrative trials in 20 farmer’sfields at Sant Tukaram, SSK and T K Warana SSK tosee the performance of the biostimulator onsugarcane and sugar yield. During last 2-3 years, theuse of biostimulator with sugarcane has indicatedgood performance on sugarcane and some intercropslike potato, onion, soybean, ground nut. PadmashreeDr. Sharad Kale, Associate Director of BARC visitedto see the performance of replicated trials anddemonstrative trials at different places as mentionedabove on May 21, 2016 and June 24 -25, 2016. Dr.Kale discussed about biostimulator project and itsapplication achieved at the farmers field in the

Visit of Local Enquiry Committee from SPPU, PuneLocal Enquiry Committee constituted by SavitribaiPhule Pune University, Pune under the chairmanshipof Dr. V B Gaikwad visited VSI on April 5, 2016. Theother members of the committee, Dr. Smt. S RChoudhari, Prof. Dr. Pardeshi, Prin. (Dr.) Karmalkarwere present for the affiliation to VSI as a ResearchCenter leading to Ph. D. degree.

The committee visited the technical departments andlaboratories to see the infrastructure facilities. Thecommittee recommended SPPU’s affiliation to Envi-ronmental Sciences and Biotechnology for the PostGraduate Research.

Visit of Padmashree Dr. Sharad Kale, Associate Director,BARC, Mumbai

operational area of sugar mill. He suggested themanagement of the mills to have trails of leguminouscrops such as Urad, Mung and ground nut varietiesas an intercrops. During his visits at farmers’ fields,Chairman of sugar mill, few Directors and theprogressive farmers were present.


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Visit of Mr. Sumit Mullick, Additional Chief Secretary, MS

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, felicitatingMr. Sumit Mullick, Additional Cheif Secretary, MS

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Dr. A D Pradh, explaining winery laboratory activities

Mr. P N Tawar explaining Tissue Cultured plantletsproduction technique

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Dr. K Harinath Babu giving information on activities ofMB & GE section


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Visit of Hon. Mr. Vijaybapu Shivtare, Minister for Water Resources &Water Conservations, MS

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, DG, VSI, felicitatingHon. Mr. Vijaybapu Shivtare, Minister for Water

Resources & Water Conservation, MS 16

Dr. K Harinath Babu giving information on activities ofMB & GE section

Mr. Vijaybapu Shivtare Observing display ofBio-fertilizers and other inputs

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Ms. K G Nigade giving information on Multi-nutrients,Micro-nutrients and other Bio-fertilizers


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VISITORS UPDATEVISITORS UPDATEDuring the last three months (April-May-June: 2016) visitors visited VSI for its infrastructure, analytical facilityand experimental agricultural filed plots and for discussion about extension services. The list of visitors asmentioned below.

Name of Institution Visitors Total

April - 2016The orbits School, Keshavnagar, Pune Teacher and Student 34Shri Prabhulingeshwar Sugar & Chemicals Ltd.,Siddapur, Officers and Farmers 52Tal: Jamkhandi, Dist: BagalkotState: KarnatakaIndividual Farmers from Maharashtra State Farmers 26

(7)May - 2016

Mudhol Taluka, Dist: Bagalkot, State : Karnataka Farmers 10Individual Farmers from Maharashtra State Farmers 89

(22)June- 2016

Assistant Directorate of Agriculture,Badami, State : Karnataka Officer and Farmers 11Ram KIshan, A/P: Kanina, Dist: Mohindergarh, State :Haryana Farmer 1Shri Dudhganga Vedganga SSK Ltd.,Bidri (Mouninagar), Farmers 17Tal:Kagal, Dist: KolhapurIndividual Farmers from Maharashtra State Farmers 93

(28) Total : 333

(63)* Figures in parenthesis denote number of visits


1. Sugar Technologists Association of India, New DelhiProceeding -All India Seminar on ‘Sustainable technologies for optimizing Ethanol production atNoida, U.P. on 14 Feb 2016 (70p)New Delhi, Sugar Technologists Association of India, 2016

2. Sugar Technologists Association of India, New Delhi.Proceeding -All India seminars on Energy Efficient option for treatment of clarifier underflow atNoida, U.P. on 29 Jan 2016 (92p)New Delhi, Sugar Technologists Association of India, 2016

3. Vaswani, VikramMy SQL: The complete reference (537p)New Delhi, McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt. Ltd., 2004

4. Bryla, Bob., Loney, KevinOracle Database 12C: the complete reference (1435p)New Delhi, McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt. Ltd., 2014

5. Schildt, HerbertC# 4.0: the complete reference (949p)New Delhi, McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt. Ltd., 2010

LIBRARY UPDATELIBRARY UPDATE

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Committee :Mr. KR Patil, Dr. RV Dani, Dr. SV Patil, Dr. DB Phonde,Mr. MR Shinde

Adviser : Mr. Shivajirao DeshmukhEditor : Dr. RM Devarumath, Mr. AA PrabhavalkarLayout & Photography : Mr. Sanjay A Dawari

VSIBulletin is published by the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune.

VASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTEVASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTEVASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTEVASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTEVASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTEManjari (Bk), Pune - 412 307; Maharashtra. E-mail : [email protected] [email protected] - (020) 26902100; Fax - (020) 26902244 Website: www.vsisugar.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the VSI. The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respectto accuracy, applicability or completeness of information. Contents are for reference purpose only. Using it for any other purpose than for which it is shared is unauthorized and prohibited. No materialfrom the issue may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded or commercially exploited in any manner without the prior consent of the publisher.Copyright © Vasantdada Sugar Institute

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