Renowned Indian sugarcane breeder Dr Perumal Govindaraj has joined the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) as head of department crop improvement — breeding.
The veteran scientist was brought in by the Government of India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme for a two-year tenure with SRIF.
SRIF board chairman Prakash Chand said Dr Govindaraj, a cane breeder with 30 years of experience in sugarcane research, would greatly enhance the production of new cane varieties and development of technologies.
“Dr Govindaraj will help develop resilient climate-smart cane varieties suitable for hostile environments, besides developing varieties which are tolerant of acid soils,” he said.
Mr Chand said the current cane breeding program took between 11 to 12 years to produce a new cane variety.
“Dr Govindaraj’s research will explore ways to reduce the breeding cycle where a variety could be released within eight to nine years.
“Two more agricultural experts specialising in Plant Protection and Agronomy would also be joining SRIF soon.”
Dr Govindaraj holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Breeding & Genetics from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India, and has worked at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI) in India as well.
