Although Pakistan is considered 5th the largest sugarcane producing country in term of area worldwide but its average per acre sugarcane production is far behind the developed nations.

The concern was shown at the Graduation Ceremony of Advanced Certificate in Sugarcane Agronomy arranged by the Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with Punjab Sugarcane Research and Development Board at the New Senate Hall, UAF. Talking to participants, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said that it is the need of hour to adopt mechanizations and latest agricultural practices in our field in order to increase per acre productivity. He stressed upon the researches and agricultural experts to put a focused endeavors on crops that will not only enhance productivity but also ensure the food security. He said that in the west, researchers, who started his work on a specific crop, continued his working on same crop throughout the life and his focused efforts bring the tangible result in term of enhanced productivity. He showed his grave concern that despite of being agrarian country, country is importing the agricultural goods worth of rupees. Punjab Sugarcane Research and Development Board CEO Dr Shaid Afghan said that they were aimed at increasing cane and sugar yields per unit area, improve efficiency of inputs (water, fertilizers, agrochemicals, diesel, labour/manpower) and sustainable production system (including environment friendly approach, soil fertility & health, socio-economic aspects). They were exploring potential of bi-products & energy production from sugarcane biomass Prepare for mechanization in future and application of new technologies Effective Technology Transfer and Capacity Building of Young researchers/technicians/farmers. Chairman Dr Asif Tanvir said adoption of modern agri methods at par with modern world, varieties, timely sowing of crops, balanced usage of fertilizer as per agricultural experts’ recommendation are prerequisite to increase agricultural yield and ensure food security. He said that the latest practices of agricultural, timely sowing and best breeds will imperative to improve the productivity. Dr Ashfaq Chatha said that climate changes were posing a serious threat to agriculture sector and the we have to make the combined efforts to address the issue. Dr Hassan Munir said they had imparted training covering all aspects of sugarcane from sowing, disease management, harvesting etc. Dr Fahad Rasul said that average world sugarcane production is 70 ton per hectare whereas in Pakistan, it is 56 tonnes per hectare. Dr Mansoor Sahi and other notables also spoke.