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FAISALABAD, Nov 06 (APP):Adaptive Research and Farm Training Punjab Director General (DG) Dr. Ishtiaq Hassan has said that Punjab surpassed global average sugarcane production by attaining 745 maunds per acre yield.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting organized at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad to approve the Sugarcane Production Plan.
He said that Punjab has recorded sugarcane cultivation of 2.018 million acres during the current year, achieving an impressive average yield of 745 maunds per acre which is significantly higher than the global average of 710 maunds per acre.
Provision of certified seed of newly approved sugarcane varieties and transfer of modern production technology to farmers’ doorsteps is imperative to further boost national sugarcane output, he added.
Chief Scientist Sugarcane Research Department Dr. Muhammad Kashif Munir briefed participants that AARI scientists have developed a new high-yield sugarcane variety “FDP-254,” capable of producing over 2,000 maunds per acre with a sugar recovery rate of up to 12.77 percent.
He said that nearly 90 percent of the country’s total cultivated sugarcane area comprises the varieties developed by the Sugarcane Research Institute AARI Faisalabad which reflected its pivotal contribution to Pakistan’s agro-economy.
Dr. Kashif Munir further said that sugarcane holds a significant position in the national economy by contributing 0.8 percent to the national GDP.
He said that prosperity of farmers and success of sugar mills depend on higher per-acre yield and improved sugar recovery. Owing to the tireless efforts of agricultural scientists, 29 sugarcane varieties have so far been developed in Pakistan, he added.
During meeting, sugarcane scientists including Dr. Muhammad Akhlaq Madassar, Dr. Mahmood-ul-Hassan, and Dr. Abdul Majeed informed the participants that Punjab produced 60.112 million tons of sugarcane in the last season, resulting in the production of approximately 4.8 million tons of sugar.
Introduction of newly approved varieties and use of modern machinery have not only enhanced yield but also improved sugar recovery levels, they added.
The scientists elaborated that under the changing climatic conditions, the farmers should strictly follow departmental recommendations such as planting sugarcane in 4-foot-spaced rows, timely weed control, earthing-up and mechanical harvesting to achieve sustainable production growth.
The department is utilizing all available resources to promote latest production technologies, particularly for planting new varieties in open ridges spaced at 4 feet, they added.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing research on introducing disease-resistant, pest-tolerant and high-sucrose sugarcane varieties alongside ensuring balanced fertilizer use, timely irrigation and integrated pest management.
The participants further discussed the inclusion of modern tools such as the Mobile Fertilizer Calculator App and promotion of inter-cropping sugarcane with pulses and other crops for sustainable soil fertility.
After comprehensive deliberations, the meeting approved the publication of Sugarcane Production Plan 2025-26.
Associate Professor of University of Agriculture Faisalabad Dr. Umar Chattha, representative of Sugarcane Research and Development Board Dr. Muhammad Asif Tanveer, Additional Director General and Director Agriculture Pest Warning Faisalabad, Principal Scientist of Soil Fertility Department Faisalabad Dr. Zia Chishti, Dr. Naveed-ul-Hassan, Dr. Abdul Haseeb, Director Adaptive Research and Farm Training Lahore Javed Ahmad, Deputy Director Agriculture Information Faisalabad Muhammad Ishaq Lashari, Principal Scientist Dr. Muhammad Kamran, Senior Scientists Dr. Akhlaq Madassar, Dr. Abdul Majeed and Dr. Mahmood-ul-Hassan, Dr. Jamshaid Hassan from Adaptive Research Farm Karor and progressive farmer from District Hafizabad Shah Nawaz Nikokarah and field officers of Adaptive Research Punjab were also present in the meeting.