ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday directed Ministry of Commerce to work with the Sugar Advisory Board to come up with short and long term proposals for resolving the issues and problems faced by the sugar industry.
The prime minister stated this while chairing a meeting wherein he was briefed on the matters pertaining to country’s sugar industry.
The meeting was briefed on the growth of sugar industry in Pakistan, government’s role in the development of the industry, issues concerning the sugar industry and support of the industry from the government.
Office bearers of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association apprised the prime minister that total sugar production per million tons had witnessed 125 per cent increase in 2016-17 as compared to 2009-10, while the increase in sugarcane area per hectares over the same period was 29 per cent.
According to Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the economic impact of this growth was an increase in farmer revenues from roughly Rs 95 billion to roughly Rs 325 billion annually.
The prime minister was further apprised that sugar cane had consistently been a viable crop for farmers.
The provincial governments had made tireless efforts in that regard by providing the minimum support price of sugarcane and making payments to growers in a timely manner.
Subsidies to growers in the form of fertilizers and other inputs under “Prime Minister’s Kissan Package” had increased per acre yield tremendously.
In addition, the hard work by the sugar industry, farmers and government research institutes had led to propagation of superior varieties and better farm practices.
The challenges faced by the sugar industry relating to permissions for export were also discussed during the meeting.
