Assessment of Promising Sugarcane Varieties for Jaggery Production in Andhra Pradesh

An on-farm trial (OFT) was conducted across distinct agricultural divisions in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh during two consecutive Rabi seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25) to evaluate the performance of newly released sugarcane varieties for quality jaggery out-turn, agro-climatic adaptability, and economic feasibility. Two promising mid- to late-maturing varieties, 2009A 107 (T2) and 2009A 252 (T3), developed by the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Anakapalle, were evaluated against the traditional farmer’s check variety, 87A 298 (T1). The trials were laid out in a randomised block design across three distinct replicate locations. The pooled two-year data revealed that variety 2009A 252 (T3) achieved the highest average cane yield of 77.05 t ha⁻¹ (a 28.69% increase over the check), followed by 2009A 107 at 65.86 t ha⁻¹ (9.99% increase over the check), compared with 59.88 t ha⁻¹ for the check variety. Economic analysis reflected the agronomic performance: 2009A 252 yielded a mean net income of Rs. 45,505 ha⁻¹ with a benefit–cost (B:C) ratio of 1.33, compared with the check variety’s net income of Rs. 7,550 ha⁻¹ and B:C ratio of 1.06. Variety 2009A 252 also demonstrated superior resistance to lodging and high extracted-juice purity. Based on its higher cane yield, greater financial returns and higher jaggery out-turn, variety 2009A 252, followed by 2009A 107, is recommended for widespread adoption in the North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh.