<p>The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government has allotted 51 hectares of land in Jalna district to the Sharad Pawar-headed Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), a premier institution for research in sugarcane farming.</p>.<p>The move is aimed at boosting research in sugarcane farming for agriculturists in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.</p>.<p>"The land in Patharwala village of Ambad taluka in Jalna district has been allotted to Pune-based VSI on 30 years lease as per ready reckoner rates," an official told PTI on Thursday.</p>.<p>The VSI was established in 1975 by the sugarcane growers of the co-operative sugar factories. The institute performs scientific, technical and educational functions relevant to the sugar industry under one umbrella.</p>.<p>NCP president and former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is the chairman of the institute.</p>.<p>When contacted, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope, who is a member of the VSI governing council, said the decision to allot the land was aimed at boosting research in sugarcane farming for agriculturists in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.</p>.<p>"It will be a boon to the farmers in these two regions," he said.</p>.<p>"VSI centre in Jalna district will play a major role in academic, extension and research for sugarcane growers," he said.</p>.<p>He said the VSI centre will provide sugarcane seeds to farmers and conduct research in breeding various varieties of sugarcane.</p>.<p>Tope said that the land was alloted under the condition that it will not be used for commercial purpose.</p>
<p>The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government has allotted 51 hectares of land in Jalna district to the Sharad Pawar-headed Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), a premier institution for research in sugarcane farming.</p>.<p>The move is aimed at boosting research in sugarcane farming for agriculturists in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.</p>.<p>"The land in Patharwala village of Ambad taluka in Jalna district has been allotted to Pune-based VSI on 30 years lease as per ready reckoner rates," an official told PTI on Thursday.</p>.<p>The VSI was established in 1975 by the sugarcane growers of the co-operative sugar factories. The institute performs scientific, technical and educational functions relevant to the sugar industry under one umbrella.</p>.<p>NCP president and former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is the chairman of the institute.</p>.<p>When contacted, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope, who is a member of the VSI governing council, said the decision to allot the land was aimed at boosting research in sugarcane farming for agriculturists in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.</p>.<p>"It will be a boon to the farmers in these two regions," he said.</p>.<p>"VSI centre in Jalna district will play a major role in academic, extension and research for sugarcane growers," he said.</p>.<p>He said the VSI centre will provide sugarcane seeds to farmers and conduct research in breeding various varieties of sugarcane.</p>.<p>Tope said that the land was alloted under the condition that it will not be used for commercial purpose.</p>