0522_mz_farming_optSTAFF REPORT IBD: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad has said that the Brazilian governments model of agriculture promotion is ideal for adoption by Pakistani farming community in order to increase production especially sugarcane in the country.

He said this while addressing as chief guest at a recently concluded APIs two-day Standing Committee Meeting on Sugarcane and Rice Crops at PARC headquarters here. The meeting was arranged in collaboration of PARC.

The meeting discussed the sugarcane crop issues with the major objective to obtain first hand information regarding area, yield and production of sugarcane; to seek item wise cost of production of sugarcane and to assess marketing efficiency.

On the occasion, API Chairperson Yasmin Masood highlighted the problems of small sugarcane farmers.

Muhammad Ijaz, Assistant Chief (API), Sohail Muhammad Khan, National Coordinator (Sugarcane) API, National Sugarcane Specialists and Sugarcane Mill holders are also addressed on the occasion and exchanged their views on sugarcane crop related issues.

Sugar production for 2012-13 estimated at 4.964 million tons against 4.762 million tons in 2012-13. Our domestic requirement is estimated at 4.2million tons. Approximately 0.4 million tons sugar is available in closing stocks of 2012-13.

Based on these estimates, seemingly there is no need for sugar import and that is why government has allowed 1.2million tons of export.

Farmer participants also apprised the meeting about the start of the sugar mills.

By Web Team

Technology Times Web team handles all matters relevant to website posting and management.