A meeting was organized by SRDB with delegates from International Finance Cooperation (IFC) and World Wide Fund (WWF-Pakistan). Following were the participants of the meeting:
- Shahid Afghan, Acting CEO, SRDB (Coordinator)
- Oksana Varodi, Senior Operations Officer at IFC
- Muddassir Shafique, Program Manager at IFC
- Masood Khan, Manager WWF-Pakistan
- Lall Khan Babar, Coordinator WWF-Pakistan
- Waqas Raza Arshad, Research Officer, SRDB
Proceedings:
- Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sugarcane Research and Development Board welcomed participants from IFC and WWF to discuss latest trends in sugarcane production technology and future strategies.
- Meeting started with discussion on labor’s involvement in low sugarcane production and other losses. It was observed that due to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) activities, there is a shortage of labor that affects sowing of sugarcane in general and harvesting in particular. Due to laborious work and long working hours, labor tend to sow less than recommended sugarcane seed, reducing number of plants per acre and ultimately yield. SRDB held successful training on mechanized plantation of sugarcane at SRI Farms, Faisalabad and different Sugar Mills of Punjab as replacement of labor shortages and enhances yield.
- Participants inquired about the percentage of small and large land holding sugarcane farmers. CEO SRDB replied that more than 95% of sugarcane farmers have land holdings of less than 5 acres. This high percentage of small land holders is the limiting factor of mechanized farming in sugarcane. Moreover, with only one Ratoon in common farmer bears high cost of sugarcane production as compared to progressive sugarcane producing countries.
- After discussing sugarcane production in Pakistan, CEO gave presentation on current situation and future plans of SRDB. It was told that SRDB had developed “Vision 2030” as strategic framework for attaining objectives, through medium and long-term plans. During his discussion on International collaborations and linkages, it was elaborated that SRDB had acquired breeding material from USA, France, Barbados and Sri-Lanka aimed to develop high sugar, ratoon able and insect pest tolerant site-specific varieties.
- Oksana Varodi asked the difference between Australian and USA sugarcane producing technologies. Dr. Shahid Afghan replied Australia is better in terms of improved irrigation systems and production technology, whereas USA leads in terms of quality of breeding material. Breeding material from Australia was tested many a times by different institutes but it does corelated local conditions. Furthermore, the development of transgenic varieties as future of sugarcane breeding was emphasized, by quoting the example of Brazil.
- Participants questioned the role of SRDB in climate change mitigating sugarcane, the answer said SRDB had funded 2 projects of more than 10 million in activating drought tolerance and rezoning of site specific varieties in order to tackle the effects of climate change. Apart from climate change he also focused to take measures to minimize time taken from cut to crush as it still is the major limiting factor for low sugar recovery.
- During the presentation, participants unanimously agreed to shift payment model from weight to quality premium with the aim of healthy competition among farmers. Pakistan also need to establish varieties producing at least 12% sugar recovery in next five years in order to sustain sugarcane supply chain. We also need to introduce dry chemistry equipment (NIR technology) in order to increase efficiency of quality lab results that could be consistently accepted nationwide.
- Shahid Afghan was asked about the role of bonsucro. He replied that it may be tested initially on small scale as a pilot case and will be expanded on good results.
- Meeting was concluded on the note to conduct meetings on a regular basis. Members acknowledged and assured to provide each other with inputs and expertise in full ability.
The meeting was adjourned with vote of thanks from CEO, SRDB.
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