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Sugarcane is an important cash crop of Pakistan. It is mainly grown for sugar and
sugary production. It is an important source of income and employment for the
farming community of the country. It also forms essential item for industries like
sugar, chip board, paper, barrages, confectionery, uses in chemicals, plastics,
paints, synthetics, fiber, insecticides and detergents. Sugarcane production in the
country has increased over time. In 1988, the area under sugarcane was 878 x
103 hectares which increased to 886 x 103 hectares in 1992 and sugarcane
production increased for 36976 x 103 tons in 1988 to 38059 x 103 tons in 1992.
Despite expansion in production over years, increase in the productivity per unit
of area has been very low in Pakistan. The average
sugarcane production in the country required static
between 45-50 tons/ha, which is very much low
compared to the cane production by other
countries. The average yield of sugarcane in the
world is around 60 metric tons/ha, while India and
Egypt are getting around 66 tons and 105 tons/has,

respectively. In this way, Egypt with highest cane

yield in the world is getting about 142 per cent highyield than Pakistan. India with almost similar soil and
climatic conditions is obtaining about 53 per cent
higher cane yield than Pakistan. As it is one of the

cash crops of the country, therefore, efforts should

be made to improve its productivity. As a result of
these efforts, substantial improvement can take
place in its yield. Improved seed production, quality
control and distribution depends largely upon the

availability of skilled and competent local

manpower, which is present in insufficient in most
developing countries.

In order to increase the production of sugar cane several steps were taken by the
Govt. and the sugar mill association to help formers. In past several

reports/research work to increase the production were published on different

process which include chemical composition as well as agricultural reforms/steps
to increase the recovery and %age yield. Here in this report information is
published which can guide local farmers to evaluate their cultivation system and
improve it as per requirements.

1. Sugarcane Production In Pakistan.

1.1
Introduction:
Sugarcane is an important industrial and cash crop in Pakistan and in many

countries of the world. It is grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world
in a range of climates from hot dry environment near sea level to cool and moist
environment at higher elevations. Besides sugar production, sugarcane produces
numerous valuable byproducts like, alcohol used by pharmaceutical industry,
ethanol used as a fuel, bagasse used for paper, and chip board manufacturing

and press mud used as a rich source of organic matter and nutrients for crop
production.

Pakistan occupies an important position in cane producing countries of the world.

It ranks at the fifth position in cane acreage and production and almost 15th
position in sugar production. A comparison of cane yield and sugar recovery in
some cane growing countries is given in the table below.
Area and yield of sugarcane in some major cane
growing countries

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Country

Area (000 ha)

Brazil
India
Cuba
China
Pakistan
Mexico
Thailand
Philippines
Columbia
USA
Australia
Argentina
Indonesia
South Africa
Bangladesh
Vietnam
D. Republic of Korea
Egypt
TOTAL

4055
2862
1350
1060
759
555
510
338
329
322
310
300
300
253
166
160
148
115
15920

Cane yield

(t/ha)
61.3
59.9
49.6
53.9
35.4
70.5
47.2
43.2
76.1
83.9
82.0
46.6
85.0
81.1
40.0
39.1
49.3
82.2
58.5

(www.gulfeconomist.com/SUGARCANE
2001).htm)

CULTIVATION-Cover2-issue-10-

1.1.1 Yield of sugarcane and sugar recovery in main sugarcane growing

countries of the world:

Country

Cane
yield (t/ha)

Sugar
recovery (%)

Sugar
(t/ha)

Australia

100.4

13.8

13.85

Egypt

110.8

11.5

12.74

Brazil

68.4

14.5

9.91

U.S.A.

80.2

11.7

9.38

Colombia

80.5

11.5

9.26

Mexico

79.5

11.6

9.22

India

66.9

9.9

6.62

Pakistan

50.3

9.2

4.63

World Avg.

64.4

10.6

6.82

yield

Source: FAO Production Yearbook, 1998; Sugar and Sweetener, USDA, June
1997.

(http://www.pakissan.com/english/allabout/crop/sugarcane.shtml)
Sugarcane growing areas in Pakistan fall between 24 N latitude in Sindh to 34 N
latitude in N.W.F.P. These areas can be broadly divided in to
i) Sub-tropical, irrigated with moderate temperature frost free zone between 26 N
latitude to 30 N latitude,
ii) Irrigated arid sub-tropical zone between 240 N latitude to 260 N latitude, iii) and
temperate zone of northern Punjab and N.W.F.P. between 320 N latitude to 340
N
latitude.

1.2
Sugarcane production trends:
Sugarcane is grown on an area of more or less one million hectares in

Pakistan. The Punjab shares 62 %, Sindh 26 % and N.W.F.P. shares 16 % of the

total area. The national average cane yield (~ 47 t ha-1) is far below the existing

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potential (Table 2). In respect of cane yield Sindh with 53 t ha-1 is the leading
province followed by N.W.F.P. (45 t ha-1) and Punjab (40 t ha-1).

1.3
Cane yield potential and sugar recovery of some commercial sugarcane
varieties in the country:

Variety

Province

Maturity
group

Cane
yield

(t ha-1)

(%)

Sugar
recovery

BL-4

Punjab

Early

100

10.2

CP 77-400

Punjab

Early

100

12.7

CP 72-2086

Punjab

Early

90

12.0

CP 43-33

Punjab

Early

90

10.8

CPF-237

Punjab

Early

110

12.5

SPF-213

Punjab

Mid

100

12.0

BL-4

Sindh

Early

200

11.2

BF-129

Sindh

Mid

200

10.3

BL-19

Sindh

Early

180

11.0

Trition

Sindh

Early

200

10.7

Mardan-92

N.W.F.P.

Mid

100

12.0

Mardan-93

N.W.F.P.

Early

100

12.5

CP 77-400

N.W.F.P.

Mid

80

11.8

CP 65-357

N.W.F.P.

Early

70

12.8

Area under sugarcane cultivation increased gradually up to 1993-94 and after that
it remained same. Average national cane yield also followed similar trend as of
cane acreage. However, sugar recovery remained same, without any
improvement, for the last many years. Trends in area under cane, cane yield,
sugar production and sugar recovery in the country is given in the table below.

1.4
Trends in area under sugarcane, national average cane yield, sugar
production and sugar recovery in Pakistan:

Year

Area

Sugar
production

yield
ha-1)

(t ha-1)

(million tonnes)

(%)

1986-87

0.762

39.27

1.256

8.67

1987-88

0.841

39.25

1.743

8.59

1988-89

0.8769

42.17

1.817

8.37

1989-90

0.8543

41.55

1.828

8.92

1990-91

0.8838

40.72

1.908

8.44

1991-92

0.8798

43.4

2.296

9.25

1992-93

0.8846

43.02

2.375

8.71

1993-94

0.9628

46.14

2.90

8.49

1994-95

1.009

46.75

2.983

8.72

1995-96

0.9631

47.0

2.449

8.70

1996-97

0.9645

43.54

2.378

8.69

Cane

Sugar
recovery

(million

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1997-98

1.0562

50.3

3.555

8.64

1998-99

1.155

47.77

3.53

8.21

1999-2000

1.0098

45.80

2.42

8.32

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, Annual Report 2000

2. Factors Effecting the Production of Sugarcane:

Reasons for low sugar cane production.

2.1 Agricultural Factors.

(i) Unscientific/unsystematic agriculture practices

a)
Improper selection of land,

b)
Improper preparation of land

c)
Conventional planting methods,

d)
Late planting,

e)
Moisture stress at critical stages of crop growth,

f)
Poor management of ratoon crop

g)
Early and late harvesting,

(ii) Environmental resistance,

(iii) Low soil fertility,

(iv) defective varieties,

(v) Pests, disease and weeds,

(vi) Credit shortage,

(vii) Rapid/Unplanned increase in sugarcane acreage in unsuitable areas of
Pakistan.

2.2 Policy Factor:

a)
Lack of Research In Sugar Cane Technology.

b)
Lack of Agricultural Education.

2.3 Economical Factor:

a)
Variation in Prices.

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b)
Unavailability Of resources for the growers.

3. TO INCREASE OUR SUGARCANE YIELD PER UNIT

AREA:

Our sugar yield i.e. cane yield x sugar recovery %cane is less than half of the
developed cane growing countries of the world. Still it is not the lowest in the
world.
The goal of increasing sugar yield per unit area is difficult, time consuming and
needs dedicated efforts of government, millers and the growers.

Some of the measures to bring down the cost of cultivation and improve cane
productivity include the selection of the right varieties, maintenance of soil health,
quality planting material, nutrient management, the adoption of copping systems
approach, weed management, water management, ratoon management and
sound post harvest handling, according to the scientists.

3.1
Role of Grower:

As Grower is the main key factor which can help to increase the sugarcane
production from the field. In Pakistan most of the grower doesnt know the proper
method or procedure of sugarcane cultivation. So thats why the cane produced is
of no good quality and we have less cane and sugar recovery. So it is

recommended that there should be organizations who should guide the growers
to increase their production. Here are some of the steps that if taken properly can
improve the sugar cane production.

3.2 Improvement in Production Technology

3.2.1
Land preparation:

Sugarcane is a deep-rooted crop and proper land preparation plays an important

role in the development of cane root system, and achieving optimal growth of the
crop. Land should be prepared by deep ploughing at least after every two years.
The soil should be disked.

It is very important that well-rotten farmyard manure (FYM) should be applied a

month prior to land preparation. Press mud from the sugar industry is another
excellent source of organic matter and nutrients. .Green manuring may also
serve the purpose.
Soil in the prepared field should be friable and well worked so that full germination
takes place and later on plants grow without any inhibiting barriers (compact subsoil layer).
3.2.2 Soil Insect Control at Planting Time

Growers should be ever mindful of practices they can use to decrease the
possibility of soil insect damage. Only two crop conditions require use of a soil
insecticide in Louisiana sugarcane fields and usually only in sandy soils. These
are:

(a) When pasture, turf or grass-infested land is brought into cane production
for the first time or after being out of cane production for several years. There
are usually enough grubs or wireworms already established in this type of land to
warrant a preventive application of insecticide at cane planting time. However, a
soil insecticide application may not be needed with the second plant-cane crop if
the field has been kept reasonably free of grass during the ratoon crops.

(b) When cane fields are extremely grassy, particularly when cane is planted
in a field that was not kept free of heavy grass infestation when fallow. Ongoing
wireworm and white grub infestations will persist in grassy fields. Again, this may
be needed only on light or mixed soils.

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Growers with fields similar to those described should consider control

measures for soil insects at planting time and base chemical control on
verification of soil insect pest infestations (with fermented corn baits). Based on
new research data, the economic threshold is slightly above one wireworm per
bait sample before planting. Soil insecticides have had a suppressive effect on
beneficial predators in sugarcane studies.

3.2.3. Planting time:

The selection of an appropriate planting method and schedule greatly influences
crop growth, maturity, and yield. Since low temperature and moisture stress are
detrimental to germination and subsequent establishment, the planting season in
subtropical regions is preferably spring. But in areas where winter is severe
enough to restrict growth or even kill sugarcane, planting material may only be
available in autumn, thus necessitating pre-winter planting. In tropical regions,
particularly where irrigation is not practiced, a sufficiently moist season should be
selected for planting and establishment.

There are two planting seasons: fall and spring. Fall planting starts from the first
week of September and continues to mid-October in the Punjab and Sindh, while
in the NWFP planting is done in October and November. Spring planting starts
from mid-February and lasts until the end of March in the Punjab and Sindh.
These planting times are strictly observed because late planting can reduce the
yield by as much as 30 percent.

September planted crop usually produces 25 to 35 % higher yield.

In Pakistan

Planting time of Sugarcane planting is usually carried out in autumn and spring
seasons. Autumn planting is of high yield and high sugar recovery compared to
spring planting. In fact, September planting gives very luxuriant growth, which is
mostly vulnerable to lodging. The crop gives good appearance till June-July but is
subject to lodging in July or even earlier if there are windstorms or excessive
rains. Around 26 per cent of the growers plant sugarcane in October, 45 per
cent in November, 2 per cent in December and 7 per cent in February.

3.2.4. Seed rate and planting pattern:

Appropriate seed rate and spacing are often ignored by farmers, with the result
that the optimum plant population, which is the key factor in sugarcane
production, is not achieved in the field. The seed rate and spacing between rows
differ with variety. Thick-cane cultivars like 'BL-4', 'Triton', and 'PR-1000' require a
higher seed rate and more space between the rows than thin and medium-cane

varieties. Eight to nine tonnes of stripped cane per hectare for thick varieties, and
six to seven tones for medium to thin varieties is sufficient to produce a desired
plant population of about 0.15 million canes/ha. A spacing of 1 m between the
rows of thick varieties, and 0.60-0.75 m for thin to medium varieties allows

sufficient space for operations like intercultural and earthing up.

3.2.5.
Method of Planting:

Sugarcane should be planted at a row spacing of 90 cm to 1 m. Two budded

double sets should be placed end to end in the furrows covered with 2 to 3 cm
soil layer. About 3.2 to 4 tonnes seed (80 to 100 maunds) of thin cane varieties
and 4 to 5 tonnes seed (100 to 120 maunds) of thick varieties is sufficient to plant
one acre.

Research has shown good yield increases in tonnage and sugar per acre when
the planted row was widened from the V-furrow to the 15- to 18-inch furrow. It
showed further yield increases as the furrow width was increased from 15 to 18 to
24 inches. Based on this research and the problems encountered by growers in
handling furrow widths of more than 18 inches, it is suggested that growers use a

15- to 18-inch furrow for planting in 2001. Growers who can successfully handle
the 24-inch width furrow are encouraged to do so. It is also suggested that the
furrow opener be constructed to leave a wide bottom with a slight indentation on
each side of the furrow and a slight ridge of loose soil in the middle of the furrow

bottom. This opening configuration can be obtained by attaching a single disk on

each side of the row opener to dig out the furrow sides and deposit the soil in the
furrow middle. Some growers have found that packing rows ahead of opening will
give more uniform furrows when opening with a three-row opener.

3.2.6. Depth of Planting with Relation to Water Furrow

To avoid water damage to seed cane, it should be placed at least 3 to 4 inches

above the final water furrow or middle. In soils with poor internal drainage, the
seed cane should be placed even higher above the final water furrow.

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Growers should be aware of the need to keep the seed cane above the area
where water levels will hurt cane stands. Low row height at planting time could be
a problem, especially with billet seed cane.

3.2.7.
Hot water seed treatment

Seed may be treated with hot water at 520 C for 30 minutes and with fungicide.
This will help in better germination and the control of many cane diseases.

Soaking cuttings and treating with running water for 48 hours sometimes
enhances germination of old cuttings. Soaking in hot water (500C) for 20 minutes
greatly enhances germination. This, however, is difficult to control at a practical
level. Treatment with running water has been suggested to remove fermentation
products and inhibitors from the cutting. Indoleacetic acids (IAA) or

naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) treatment enhances root growth but delays bud
development. Acetylene promotes the growth of the cutting. Substances including
ethyl alcohol, ammonium phosphate, complete nutrient solution, and ferrous
sulphate have all on occasions proved beneficial to germination. On the other
hand, at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, experiments have shown that
soaking cane setts in water, cow urine, and 2% KmnO4 solution before planting
reduced yield (Table 16.7).

Table Effects of various pre-planting seed treatments on the cane yield of

'Co.L-54'.

Treatment

Cane yield (t/ha)

Normal setts

82.76
(unsoaked)
Soaked in water

62.05
Soaked in cow urine

61.19
Soaked in 20% KmnO4

67.16

Source: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

3.2.8. Amount of Soil Cover over Seed Cane

Research on depth of soil cover over seed cane indicates that soil cover in
excess of 4 inches can cause yield losses even if the excess is removed in the
spring following planting.

Heat-treated cane should be covered with 2 inches of packed soil. After the cane
is up to a good stand and before freezing weather occurs, add an additional 2
inches of soil to protect from freeze damage. Do not cover heat-treated cane with
more than 2 inches of packed soil at planting.

3.2.9. Varieties:

Use healthy seed of improved varieties of sugarcane. This can increase cane
yield from 20 to 25 per cent. Sugarcane varieties recommended for various
provinces are given in Table 4.

Around 95 per cent planted BL-4 variety in the study area. This variety flourishes
very well in heavy fertile and well-drained soil with good irrigation. As the variety
occupied good fields, it established high yields. New variety BF-12-is yet in the
stage of multiplication, while SPSG -26 and Th-10, has just been introduced.

Results show that 87 per cent planted recommended varieties and the remaining
13 per cent planted non-recommended varieties The economic life span of
sugarcane variety varies from 8 to 10 years and after that replacement the variety
is necessary.

Available Sugarcane Tissue Cultured Varieties:

1. CP-43-33

2. CP- 77-400

3. CP 81-1435

4. ABT super

5. BF - 162

6. SPSG - 26

7. SPF - 234

8. BL - 4

9. T - 10

3.2.10. Recommended varieties of sugarcane.

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Punjab

Early maturing: BL 4 , L 116, BF 162, CP 43-33,CP 72-2086, CP 77-400,

SPSG-26, CPF-237

Mid season: TRITON, COL 54, SPF-213

Late maturing: L 118, COJ-84

Sindh
Lower Sindh (areas south to Hyderabad)

Early maturing: BL 4

Mid season: PR 1000, BF 129

Late maturing: NIA-98

Upper Sindh (areas north to Hyderabad)

Early maturing: BL-4, L 113, L 116, TRITON, SPSG-26

Late maturing: NIA-98

N.W.F.P.

Early maturing: CP 48-103, CP 51-21, CP 65-357, CPM 13, CO 1321, Mardan93, JN 88-1, ABID-96, SPSG-26

Mid season: CP 77-400, CP 44-101, IM 61, L 62-96, Mardan-92, Bannu-1

3.2.11. Fertilizer application

According to rough estimate the farmers are using one fourth of chemical fertilizer
against the sugarcane crop requirements due to non-availability as well as high
cost of the same. Apart from this haphazard use of fertilizer brings no fruit and
therefore the farmers do not get the crops to their expectations. The very

important job getting the soil tested before the use of any particular fertilizer is not
practiced in our country.

As mentioned earlier fertilizer use in Pakistan is imbalanced, inadequate and

improper. Most of the cane growers in the country use only nitrogenous fertilizers
while others use an imbalanced combination of N and P. Use of K is almost
neglected in cane crop. It is very important to use proper doses of balanced
fertilizers to exploit the maximum yield potential of cane crop. Fertilizer
recommendations for sugarcane for various ecological zones are given in the
table below.

Table of Fertilizer recommendations for sugarcane in Pakistan:

Province

Nutrients

(kgs

Fertilizer (bags acre-1 )

acre-1 )

P2O5

K2O

Urea

DAP

MOP/SOP

The

Punjab

70100

50

5060

2.253.50

2.25

1.75-2 /
2-2.5

Sindh

70110

50

5070

2.254

2.25

2.5-1.75 /
2-3

N.W.F.P

7090

46

5060

2.253

1.75-2 /
2-2.5

All phosphorus and potash and one fourth N should be applied at the time of
planting. It is preferable that P and K may be applied in furrows where seed setts
are to be placed. Rest of the nitrogenous fertilizer may be applied in three equal
splits i.e. during April, May and by mid June to February-March planted crop.

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It will be beneficial if N is applied in four equal splits to September planted crop

besides one fifth applied at planting. In this case it may be applied during March,
April, May and June. September planted crop may be given an additional dose of
20 to 40 kg N (one to two bags of urea) per acre.

3.2.12. Starter Fertilizer Application:

Recent fertilization trials have often shown yield responses to starter fertilizers
applied in the planting furrow for cane planted after a fallow year as well as
succession planted cane. Yield responses have been obtained in both plant-cane
and stubble-cane crops with an application of 15-45-45 lbs/A of N-P2O5-K2O.
Based on these recent findings, it is suggested that growers apply 15-45-45lbs/A
of N-P2O5-K2O into the planting furrow ahead of planting. Applying nitrogen at
rates exceeding 15 lbs/A is not recommended.

As an alternative to starter fertilizer, a rotational crop of soybeans might be

considered. Although a nitrogen fertilizer credit has not yet been established, the
organic nitrogen from soybeans should be sufficient to get the planted cane off to
a good start in the fall.

3.1.13. Soil Testing

The best way to determine lime, phosphorus and potassium requirements is with
a reliable soil test. The soil sample must be collected properly for the test to be
valid. Large fields should be broken up into smaller units for sampling purposes,
and the smaller fields intensively sampled, because nutrient and pH levels often

vary greatly within fields. Intensive, thorough sampling is the only way to detect
these variations and adjust fertilizer and lime rates accordingly.
Medium to heavy,
pH 5.0-8.5. Liming required if pH < 5, or gypsum if pH > 9.5.

Soil samples may be collected anytime before fertilizing or liming, but soon after
harvest is recommended, if possible. Turn-around time in the soil testing
laboratory is faster in the fall and early winter. You will get your test results in time
to plan a fertilizer program tailored to each individual field. Also,

Table 1. Effect of lime on sugarcane yields.*

Plant- First- Second- Plant- First- Total

Treatment Cane Stubble Stubble Cane Stubble Increase

lbs sugar/A

No Lime 6126 4431 4708 6372 5299 ----Lime 6382 4702 5348 6720 5515 ----
Increase +256 +271 +640 +348 +216 +1731

(*Initial soil pH was 4.8. Soil pH after liming was 6.0. Lime applied one time
previous to the first plant year.)

A complete soil fertility program is essential for maximum sugarcane yields and
profits. Use soil tests properly. Know the lime and fertilizer requirements for each
field on which you grow sugarcane, and apply the plant nutrients according to the
recommendations and soil test results.

3.2.14. Weed control

Good land preparation is a key factor in controlling weeds. For proper weed
control, Gesapax combi (80 WP) may be applied @ 1.4 kg per acre in medium
textured soils and @ 1.8 kg per acre in heavy soils in 100 to 120 litres of water.
The weedicide should be used with the advice of the technical experts.

3.2.15. Irrigation

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It is very important to take care of the irrigation requirements of sugarcane,

particularly in summer months. Farmers must plan their acreage to be planted
under cane crop according to the available water at their farm. Keep in mind that
each field should get at least 16 to 20 irrigations during the crop year adjusting
the irrigation schedule according to rainfall in summer.

Table of Irrigation Schedule

March-April

12-14 days

May-June

8-10 days

July-August

10-15 days (if there is no rainfall, irrigation

interval should be 8-10 days)

September-October

15-20 days

November-December

25-30 days

3.2.16. Integrated Pest Management For Sugarcane:

Insect pests play an important role in reducing the sugarcane yield. The most
serious insect pests are sugarcane borers, Pyrilla, and whitefly. In some areas
mealy bug, black bug and army worm are also causing damage.

In Pakistan exact estimates of yield losses due to insect attack are lacking but it
has been reported that top borer, stem borer, gurdaspur borer and Pyrilla cause a
reduction in yield from 15-20, 10-20 and 30-35 percent , respectively. In some
cases as high as 80-85 percent reduction in crop yield due to insect attack has
been reported.

These losses in sugarcane can only be minimized by proper protection of the

cane crop from insect pests with scientifically designed IPM Programme
throughout the year. Pesticides are applied as and when needed in combination
with cultural practices, resistant varieties and introduction and conservation of
natural enemies. Pesticides will continue to play an important role in the IPM
Programme. The primary difference, however, is that these products will be used

selectively and judiciously.

Farmyard manure should always be used when it is fully rotten. This will reduce
termite attack. Trash in the field should not be kept for longer time and it may be
burnt. Dry shoots attacked by the bores must be pulled out and burnt. Always cut
the crop as close to the ground as possible. Use of light traps will help controlling
the spread of borers killing their adults. Earthing up during May-June will help in
controlling Gurdaspur borer as the adults will not be able to come out of the
ridges of the soil. In case of severe attack of any insect, do not keep the crop as
ratoon.

Besides using pesticides/insecticides, insects could also be controlled by

biological measures. These control measures are safe for environment, and
hazard free. Cotesia flavips is an important larval parasitoid of sugarcane bores.
Its female lays eggs inside the borer larva and after hatching, its larvae feed
inside the borer larva. Adult parasitoid attack more borer larvae in the field.
Trichogramma chilonis destroys the eggs of sugarcane borers. Its female lays
eggs inside the eggs of borers. Parasitoid larvae feeds in the host eggs,
destroying them. Epi-pyropes destroys sugarcane pyrilla. These parasitoids are
mass multiplied in the laboratory and then released in the cane fields.

3.2.17. Control of diseases

For controlling sugarcane diseases, use healthy seed which is disease-free and
preferably plant disease-resistant varieties. Treat the seed with fungicide/s before
planting. The diseased plants from the field should be removed and either buried
or burnt. Seed may be treated with hot water at 520 C for 30 minutes.

The practice of heat therapy is becoming more common at seed-production

centers to rid seed of ratoon stunting disease, grassy shoot, and leaf scale. This
treatment consists of submerging the cane setts in water heated to 520 C for two
hours. In the hot air treatment or the moist hot air treatment, whole cane stalks
are treated at 540 C for eight and four hours, respectively. The most hot air

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treatment is preferred, however, because the hot air treatment injures the buds
which ultimately reduce germination. When planting a new crop, it is essential to
use seed from samples of the best patches of cane crop, free of disease and
insect pests. Disease-free, good-quality seed increases yield by 10-15%.

3.2.18. Ratoon crop management

If the ratoon crop is properly managed, it could give higher returns than the plant
crop because of savings in certain field operations and inputs. It is important to
remember that ratoon crop requires 30 to 40 per cent higher fertilizers than the
plant crop. The end of January to beginning of March is the best time to keep the
crop for ratooning. Cane from the fields to be kept for ratoon should be cut at
ground level.

The sugar recovery in ratoon crop is also better and it matures earlier than the
plant crop. However, remember that it has to be managed with extra efforts and
care. Apply all the phosphorus and potash fertilizer plus one third of N during
March. Plough the land in between the furrows to mix the fertilizer well in the soil
and then irrigate the crop. Fill the gaps, control the weeds, insect pests and
diseases properly. Rest of the nitrogenous fertilizer should be applied in two
equal splits during April and May.

Research work conducted on autumn ratooning of sugarcane at the University of

Agriculture, Faisalabad, has shown that sugarcane planted in two row strips 90
cm apart not only ratooned well but also gave higher yields for each of three
planting treatments than three and four-row strip planting systems.

3.2.19. Harvesting

Stop irrigation 25 to 30 days before the harvest of crop and do not leave the
harvested crop for long in the field. In case it has to be kept for a prolonged
period, it should be covered with trash. Different varieties planted may be
harvested according to their maturity. Harvesting of early maturing varieties may
be started during November, mid season varieties during December and the late

maturing varieties during January. The crop harvested during February-March

gives good ratoon crop.

Harvesting is done when the crop has fully matured and ripened. Early varieties
and ratoon crops are the first to be harvested. When the stem is close to the
surface, great vigilance is required in order to cut the maximum portion of the
stem, which is valuable both for its weight and sugar content. The harvested cane
should be immediately hauled to the mill otherwise weight and sucrose losses

may occur. For this purpose, transport should be arranged in advance.

Age of sugarcane crop:

The maturing/harvesting age of sugarcane crop in most of the sugarcane growing

countries are more than a year (15-24 months) but in Pakistan it is an annual
crop (10-12 months) and some other countries are: Hawaii (18-24 months), Java
(Indonesia) (12-15 months), Mauritius (14-20 months), Australia (20-25
months),South Africa (22-24 months), Philippines (11-14 months), Cuba (12-15

months), India (10-12 months),Pakistan (10-12 months).

4. Govt. Polices And Reforms.

D-1 We have not established any sugarcane breeding station of international

standard.
D-2- We have not taken interest in upgrading the sugarcane research station that
already exists. We do not have the staff and do not provide adequate land and
facilities for improvement of sugarcane research work.
D-3 Efforts should be made to provide and use Ratoon stunting Disease free
seed. The work on biological control of sugarcane pests should be expanded to

cover all the area in all the mills.

D-4 We should not have taken out the sugarcane research from breeding group.
We should create a Sugarcane Research Station in breeding group. The

agronomists already working on sugarcane should be asked to concentrate on

selecting other superior varieties besides concentrating on just selecting drought
tolerant varieties as we are short of irrigation water. They should be provided
laboratory facilities for quality evaluation, so that selection of varieties on cane
yield is given full attention.

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D-5 The crushing season in the developed cane-growing countries is kept

optimum when high sugar yields are obtained. To increase our sugar yield, we

should not continue with our longer crushing season, but find ways to decrease
it.
D-6 The sugarcane price is currently fixed as a minimum on the basis of average

recovery without consideration of mill efficiency or farmers efficiencies. No quality

payment has been introduced to match with the developed cane growing
countries of the world.

This action leads to a reduction of our sugar yield and increases its cost. In
addition, the cane price is on average recovery of each mill without any minimum
base. Thus if a cane price of Rs.40 is fixed for average recovery of 8.5%, the mills
getting 7.5% recovery shall pay Rs. 35.29 for 40 kg and the mills getting 9.5%
recovery shall pay Rs. 44.71. This means that Rs.0.47 shall be adjustable for

increase or decrease of 0.1% in recovery from standard recovery fixed as 8.5%.

D-7 There should be a zoning system. The farmers should not be free to sell their
produce to any mill they like. The present action of de-zoning should discontinue.
By this action the development work that was being done by mills has greatly
been reduced. The mills would not like to invest their money on development of
the farmers unless they are sure to get their cane delivered to their mill. This has
also encouraged the middleman business, which has increased the cost and

decreased the quality of cane delivered. This has also increased the after harvest
losses and transport expanses.
D-8 The water rates for sugarcane crops are charged on uniform basis. The
farmers getting high yields are using more water than the farmers getting lower
yield.
Therefore the system should be introduced to charge water rates in relation to
yield groups might be very high, high, average, low, and very low. This will
provide some satisfaction to the farmers getting low yield and very low yields.

4.1 Reforms

Also By Taking Following Steps We Can Also Increase The Sugar Cane

Production.
1- We should immediately establish a sugar cane breeding and research institute

of international standard near our seacoast where natural flowering and

production of true seed is possible. The breeding station should have all the
necessary departments like physiology, agronomy, engineering, statistics etc.
Technical help may be taken from friendly countries experts.
We should take special care in selecting our staff and getting them fully trained for
their specified job in the institute. This institute should work as a main center for
our country as is coimbatore in India. It should have good substations with
competent staff end facilities for work. It should have sufficient area and irrigation
water for future expansion also in addition to immediate need. We should have
one good substation in N.W.F.P. upper Punjab, lower Punjab and upper Sindh.
These substations should also have proper facilities for selecting varieties and for

producing of disease free seed especially for RSD & Mosaic with proper hot
water treatment and look after. Special care should be taken for selection of site
and provision of area and other facilities.
These substations should have proper facilities to coordinate with the sugar mill is

solving their cane problems, provision of training to their staff, farmers and the
staff of cooperative societies of their area for improvement of sugar yield. These
substations should provide RSD free seeds to each mill and coordinate in its
proper multiplication and look after. The seed should be sufficient to cover full
area in 3-4 years in each mill. Special attention should be given to improve area
and yield Ratoon crops. Similarly special care should be given for selecting
varieties, on the basis of sugar yield at their maturity. Special care should also be
given in selecting verities for early, mid and late crushing as per crushing season
of the mill concerned.
2- The sugar cane research department in all the provinces should be created in

breeding group and the staff of agronomy should remain in agronomy group. The
agronomy group should be expended to cover all the crops.
For sugar cane research duly trained staff should be provided in the entire subject
like sugar technology, sugarcane breeding, sugarcane genetics, sugarcane

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physiology, sugarcane pathology, sugarcane entomology, sugarcane agronomy

and sugarcane engineering.
3- Our crushing season should be reduced to match with the best cane growing

countries having similar climate. We should fix our cane-crushing season for 120
days from 15th November to 15th March.
Variety performance should be evaluated for each month on the basis of sugar
yield per unit area, and selection should be made for early, mid and late season
crushing. We dont need to start early for disposal of Ratoon crop. The developed
cane growing countries have more Ratoon crops than what we have, but they
crush it only in the optimum season.
We should create cooperative societies for development and marketing of
sugarcane crop. This shall help in solving many problems and shall greatly help
in increasing the sugar yield. The mills cant give full attention to the small
framers. Through cooperative societies it shall be possible for them to extension
workers. It shall also help in elimination of middleman.
The staff of the cooperative societies and their farmers should be given practical

training in all aspects of crop production including land preparation, planting of

seed or nursery raised plants from RSD free seed. With capacity to achieve the
desired stand quickly and to stop tillering when proper stand has been achieved,
by proper earthing up, and for proper fertilization and look after of the crop to get

optimum growth and weighty of stalk and to mature at the right time. Thus best
crop production technology, use of balanced fertilizers (N.P.K.) with
micronutrients like Boron, Manganese and Zinc, and plant protection shall
become a common practice.
These cooperative societies shall greatly help in minimizing the yield and quality

difference from farmer to farmer. This is very much needed to improve our sugar
yield per unit area.
4- quality payment is a basic requirement for improvement of sugar yield. All the

developed cane growing countries have used it as best tool for improving their
cane sugar recovery. We must adopt it immediately. We have to first fix standard
mill efficiency on the basis of which recovery of each truck or trolley shall cane to
be fixed for payment. We can fix the standard efficiency as CCS% cane x 0.85.

This should be for full season and for all the mills. Standard recovery and its price
have to be fixed.
The next step would be to fix a standard curve for the crushing season fixed for
each mill or group of mills situated under similar climate growth and maturity. This
should provide average CC% cane x 0.85 (or other factor fixed) for each day, on
the basis of which payment shall be evaluated every day for each supply. It shall
be better to fix low recovery base as on this most of the farmers would get
premier and deduction shall be less. This may be fixed at 7.5 % recovery on

standard efficiency.
The cane price should be fixed as share in the sugar recovered on the base of
standard efficiency. This is varying in various countries and is up to 70% to 75%
to the grower. We have about 60:40 ratio with the present system. It is suggested
that ratio of 65:35 may be fixed on standard efficiency. The mills should provide
ware house facility to the growers. It should be free for the crushing season and
may be on small payment after the season.

By this, only the mills shall not suffer due fall in sugar price but loss shall be

shared by growers also.

For quality payment special agreements have to be made by the mills growers
and the government. Facility for each evaluation of each supply of farmer or

cooperative societies shall have to be provided. The growers and millers shall
have combined team for sampling storage and analysis. Whereas govt. shall
have to provide technicians to solve any dispute occurring for sampling or
analysis or evaluation for payment etc.

The quality payment shall greatly improve our sugar yield and reduce the price of
sugar. The farmers shall greatly cooperate to improve the cane quality and shall
easily agree to take following actions:

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a)
stop mixing of fresh and stale cane.

b)
Shall try to supply only fresh cane.

c)
Shall stop irrigation the crop before harvest. Instead, shall agree to stop
irrigation a month or so before harvest.

d)
Shall agree to remove immature tops for use as fodder and supply clear
cane.

e)
Shall agree to use only balanced fertilizers and stop the use of nitrogenous
fertilizers in the late season to increase weight of cane.

f)
Shall agree to use more seed and stop late tillering.

g)
Shall agree to use only RSD free seed of recommended varieties for early,
mid and late supply.

h)
Shall agree to stop late planning or mixed cropping with cane.

i)
Shall agree to take good care or prevent the crops from pests, disease and
lodging.

j)
Shall agree to work in a cooperative way and become member of

cooperative societies for sugar cane development and marketing.

5- Zoning system should be re introduced. The zones for each will should be
fixed in a way that total mill requirement is met and the mills should not be
allowed to obtain from outside. They may be allowed to obtain cane from outside
only after finishing the cane of their zone. The mills should be provided incentive
in increasing their milling capacity if they improve the cane yield of their zone.

There is scope if improving yield by about 100%. Thus they should be provided
incentive accordingly. The mills can improve their income by development work
for quality. There is scope of improving recovery to over 11 %. Wit the standard
efficiency fixed, the mills can increase their income. Some other incentive may
also be provided for improvement of efficiency.

6- Fixation of crop intensity shall provide incentive to all the farmers who cant
increase their area. They shall be forced to increase their yield to cope up with
the target of their over all cane production.

It is, however, very necessary that water supply is properly distributed, honestly
on regular basis. It will be the best policy to supply water through meter, which
cannotbe misused by influential big farmers or jageerdars.

If the irrigation system is set right on a honest footing, the yield differences of
small Farmers and big influential farmers shall greatly come down and improve
our sugarYield.

It is also necessary that our catchments areas are properly looked after to stop
erosionand our dams are maintained at their proper depth and original capacity.

Other Factors.

1. production Of ethanol as fuel

(Research Report: Indian Sugar Industry by Sidharth Mehta [Mar 10])

http://www.kotakstreet.com/webapp/kotak/

MarketMonitor/KotakByLanesID.jsp?id=212

2. Membrane filtration for process improvement in sugar mills.

(http://www.teriin.org/case/sugar.htm)

3. TECHNOLOGY ADOPTED

Double sulphitation process is employed for production of plantation white

sugar which has a pol of 99.8% Government have laid down quality standards
in terms of grain size namely large (L), medium (M), small (S) and in the colour
series of 31, 30 and 29 . In terms of ICUMSA, it corresponds to 100 to 150.

Automation of process control systems and continuous pans.

High pressure boilers, efficient turbines generating power.

Installation of bagasse dryers for fuel economy and energy conservation.

Modification of process for production of refined sugar.

ETP plants to meet with rigid pollution control norms

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(http://www.indiansugar.com/sugarstn.htm)

3. use of combine Harvesters .

(
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep03/cane0903.htm)

4. Production Of Alcohal.

5. Hot Liming.
In hot liming, the cane juice is preheated to 180 F to 200 F. It is then
heated quickly, under pressure, to 220-225 F. When the pressure is

released, the juice begins to boil violently, or flash, and the lime is added.
In some factories, the lime can be added just before the flashing stage. In
intermediate liming, only 30-50 percent of the juice is preheated. The
lime is added when all the juice is about 150 F, and then it's flashheated to 220 F.

(http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep03/cane0903.htm)

6. Drip Irrigation System.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient method of irrigating. While sprinkler
systems are around 75-85% efficient, drip systems typically are 90% or
higher. What that means is much less wasted water! For this reason drip
is the preferred method of irrigation in the desert regions of the United
States.
(http://www.pakissan.com/english/newtech/
drip.irrigation.need.of.the.time.shtml

Conclusions.
As we have seen that from all the above mentioned facts that the major cause of
low sugarcane production is improper use of agricultural methods. And also from
pervious data we can see that as we have increased our sugar production per
acre our cane yield and sugar recovery has decreased. This is due to improper
use of cane variety and cultivation process. So if we want to increase the quality
of sugar cane so we need to fallow the proper way as per described by the

Agricultural Department.

Bibliography

1. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (Sugarcane Production

Handbook
2001, By Benjamin L. Legendre, Ph.D., Specialist (Sugarcane), Louisiana
State.

2. The sugar industry plays a pivotal role in the national economy of our country,
By Dr.

S.M. ALAM and M.A. KHAN, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam,

Pakistan.

3. www. PAKISSAN.com/ Sugarcane Tissue Culture Technology.htm.

http://www.pakissan.com/english/allabout/crop/sugarcane.shtml[12/30/2015 7:16:31 PM]

Pakissan.com

4. Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre Karnal, India.

5. www.nationalpak.com \National Traders Pakistan Sugarcane Production.htm

6. Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

7. Sugar-cane production on decline, By Dr Ali Muhammad Khushk.

8. http://www.ars.usda.gov/Improving Sugarcane Productivity by Conventional

and

Molecular Approaches to Genetic Development , Annual Report 2002.

9. Recovery of Additional Sucrose with An Integrated Program Using Biocide

and

Dextranase to reduce Undetermined losses, Midland Research Laboratories, Inc.

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