<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The total sugarcane production this year is likely to touch five lakh tonne, 25 per cent more compared to last year, he said.<br /><br />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.<br /></p>
<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The total sugarcane production this year is likely to touch five lakh tonne, 25 per cent more compared to last year, he said.<br /><br />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.<br /></p>
