Kanpur, October 15, 2026: The National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur, celebrated its 91st Foundation Day on Thursday under the leadership of its Director, Prof. Seema Paroha, along with a one-day national seminar on CPCB Charter 2.0.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel was the chief guest and joined virtually. Kanpur MP Shri Ramesh Awasthi, Kanpur Nagar MLA Smt. Neelima Katiyar, and Shri Arvind Kumar Rawat, Director of the Directorate of Sugar & Vegetable Oils, Government of India, attended in person.
Prof. Paroha welcomed the guests and outlined the institute's latest initiatives for farmers and the industry. The event recognised 13 progressive sugarcane farmers from several states for exceptional yields. It also honoured seven distinguished alumni for their contributions to the sugar, distillery, and bioethanol industries.
Day began with tree plantation
The programme opened with a tree plantation drive on the institute campus under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign. Director Prof. Seema Paroha and MLA Neelima Katiyar planted a sapling together. Prof. Seema Paroha and MLA Neelima Katiyar plant a sapling on campus under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign
Prof. Seema Paroha outlines NSI's roadmap: new cane varieties, skilled talent, energy self-reliance
In her welcome address, she presented the institute's key initiatives for the sugar sector. Partnership for better cane: She announced that NSI has signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research (UPCSR) to develop new sugarcane varieties and breeder seed. The partnership is aimed at putting improved planting material in farmers' hands.
Building the industry's workforce:
Prof. Paroha said "NSI trains around 300 to 350 technical professionals every year. Many of them go on to run sugar mills, distilleries, and bioenergy plants across the country"
She also stressed the importance of timely cane payments to farmers and lower production costs and she pointed to ethanol blending and bagasse-based power generation as ways to strengthen India's energy self-reliance.
Under her leadership, the Foundation Day brought farmers, alumni, policymakers, and industry professionals together on one platform. The programme combined recognition of field-level achievement with a technical discussion on environmental compliance.
Governor calls for higher cane productivity and cleaner industry Addressing the gathering virtually, Governor Anandiben Patel praised NSI's contribution to the sector.
Addressing the gathering virtually, Governor Anandiben Patel praised NSI’s contribution to the sector. She stressed the need to raise sugarcane productivity, supply quality seed to farmers, and take modern farming techniques to the field. She urged the industry to focus on water and air pollution control, waste management, and energy efficiency. She also encouraged students to adopt a scientific outlook.
Prof. Seema Paroha welcomes MP Ramesh Awasthi as Governor Anandiben Patel joins virtually from Raj Bhavan "If farmers prosper, the nation prospers": MP Ramesh Awasthi said, he further added that the institute, founded in 1936, continues to strengthen Kanpur's industrial and academic identity. He emphasised improved cane varieties, scientific cultivation, and sustainable agriculture.
He called on industry and academic institutions to work together to turn research into practical solutions. "If farmers prosper, the nation will prosper," he said. MLA Neelima Katiyar described NSI as Kanpur's pride and said the institute plays a leading role in sugar, ethanol, and energy. A souvenir for the CPCB Charter 2.0 national seminar was also released during the ceremony.
13 progressive cane farmers honoured for record yields
At the Progressive Farmers Felicitation Ceremony, 13 sugarcane farmers from different states received awards for outstanding yields. Shri Achal Kumar Mishra of Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh, recorded the highest yield at 3,296 quintals per hectare. Shri Kaushal Kumar Mishra of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, followed with 2,630 quintals per hectare. From outside the state, Shri Upendra Kaurav of Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh, achieved 1,538 quintals per hectare, and Shri Bhola Shankar Singh of Surguja, Chhattisgarh, recorded 1,520 quintals per hectare.
Seven distinguished alumni recognised
At the Alumni Felicitation Ceremony, NSI honoured seven of its alumni for outstanding contributions to the sugar, distillery, cane, and bioethanol industries. The honourees were Shri Yogesh Kumar Singh, Shri Brij Mohan, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Shri R. Nanda Kumar, Shri K.K. Bajpai, Shri Rajeev Nayan Thakur, and Shri V. Subbu Rathinam.
Each of them has between 30 and more than 50 years of experience in the sugar industry. Their work includes commissioning greenfield sugar plants, cogeneration projects, and distilleries. It also covers improving sugar recovery and crushing capacity, a back-end refinery project, and using improved cane varieties and tissue culture in cane development.
They have also played a major role in adopting sustainable technologies such as biogas, DDGS, and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). Several of the honourees have earlier received recognitions such as the STAI Silver Medal, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and “Best Unit Head” honours. The institute said the awardees reflect NSI’s legacy and the central role its alumni play in India’s sugar and bioethanol industry.
National seminar on CPCB Charter 2.0
The afternoon session featured a one-day national seminar on CPCB Charter 2.0. Speakers described the charter as an important initiative for water conservation, wastewater treatment, and pollution control in the sugar and distillery sector.
The ceremony was attended by industry professionals, faculty, students, and invited guests.
