The Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi gave the award to the Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore (TN) for its two predominant varieties of sugarcane – Co 6304 and Co 86032 and the significant impact it has made in the livelihood of sugarcane farmers in tropical India.
Co 6304 was released for cultivation in 1973. It was hailed as the second wonder cane after Co 419 during the 70s and 80s. The variety was extremely popular in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. It used to occupy over 85 per cent of the area under cane in Tamil Nadu and played a major role in taking the State to the top position in sugarcane productivity. It made a mark in Gujarat too, improving the overall sugar recovery.
Co 86032 variety was released in 2000 and is the ruling variety in tropical India. It is cultivated in over 70 per cent of the area under cane in Tamil Nadu and over 50 per cent in Maharashtra and Karnataka, and a sizeable area in Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.