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A pioneer in the sugar revolution: How Vikadaman transformed India's sugarcane industry
In the agricultural history of India, Rao Bahadur Sir Tiruvadi Sambasiva Iyer Venkataraman is credited as the pioneer of the sugar revolution. His work not only made India the second largest sugar producer in the world, but also supported the sugar industry in many other countries.
Vikadaman, with his outstanding research and development, has fundamentally changed the sugarcane industry in India.
Vikadaman was born in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India in 1884, originally from a traditional Hindu family. At the age of 16, he renounced religion and demonstrated outstanding academic talent. He eventually obtained a first-class honors degree in botany from the University of Madras in 1905 and quickly embarked on a scientific and research career.
In the early 20th century, low sugarcane production in India forced the government to import sugar from the Dutch East Indies, putting a huge strain on the budget. In order to improve this situation, the British government decided to establish a sugarcane breeding institute in Coimbatore to develop the local sugarcane industry. Vikadaman’s work soon entered this field, as he and his colleagues discovered wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum) and crossed it with cultivated varieties.
In 1918, the institute introduced its first hybrid sugarcane variety, Co. 205, which had a yield 50% higher than local varieties.
This achievement has changed the landscape of sugarcane cultivation in India. Subsequently, other varieties such as Co. 285 were also promoted on a large scale and widely used throughout the country. The breeding work promoted by Venkataraman not only laid the foundation for India's sugar industry, but also supported the development of sugar industries in many countries including South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and the United States.
His research further expanded the range of hybrid sugarcane, including mating with North Indian Saccharum barberi and other varieties, eventually creating new sugarcane varieties with as many as four genetic sources, which have greatly increased sugar content. It is similar to its parents and can adapt well to various climatic conditions.
The institute's sugarcane varieties quickly became popular around the world, especially in the United States, South Africa and Australia.
By the 1930s, Vikadaman was experiencing another high point in his career, when Coimbatore's sugarcane varieties had gained a place in the global market. His expertise has been widely recognized and has led him to speak at various scientific conferences to share his research results.
Over time, his achievements extended beyond sugarcane breeding. In 1930, he also tried to develop hybrid varieties of sugarcane and sorghum. Although it ultimately failed to be commercialized due to breeding problems, his innovative thinking paved the way for subsequent plant hybridization research.
Throughout his career, Venkataraman's contributions to sugarcane breeding enabled India to successfully transform itself from an importer of sugar to an independent producer.
When Vikadaman retired in 1942, he had saved India 150 million rupees, which can be said to be a huge contribution to the national economy. His research work laid a solid foundation for the future development of sugar industry in India and many countries benefited from his varieties.
His achievements were recognized with several honors, including being made a Companion of the Indian Royal Family in 1937 and being knighted in 1942, becoming the first Indian agricultural scientist to receive this honor. Additionally, he received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India in 1956 in recognition of his lifetime achievements.
His work not only changed India's sugar industry, but also brought substantial economic benefits to local farmers.
After his death, Vikadaman's ideas and contributions to scientific research continue to influence future generations. Until the 21st century, Coimbatore's sugarcane varieties are still widely cultivated in many countries and used as breeding materials. It can be said that Vikadaman played an integral role in the revolution in plant breeding and the sugar industry. His story has inspired countless others to innovate in science and agriculture.
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