Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Thangadagi said the Belgaum centre would be named after the former Chief Minister S Nijalingappa. The Mandya Centre was expected to begin operation by this year-end, he said.
Both the centres would be modelled on the Pune-based Vasanthdada Sugarcane Research Centre. Sugar mill owners will have to pay Re 1 per every tonne of sugarcane crushed which would be channelled for maintenance and running the two institutes, he added.
The total sugarcane production this year is likely to touch five lakh tonne, 25 per cent more compared to last year, he said.
The institutes among others would involve in the development of sugarcane varieties through biotechnology, develop eco-friendly methods of crop production and crop protection and water conserving irrigation systems.