Agriculture department imposes ban on three varieties of sugar cane

The Sindh Agriculture Department has imposed ban on three varieties of sugar cane amid cultivation which created unrest among thousands of growers, Business Recorder has learnt. The agriculture department through Cane Commissioner, Tariq Ahmed Memon has issued notification of ban on 3 varieties of sugar cane including C.O 245 Bansy, C.R 207284 Kela and N.I.A 98 according to section 14a of sugar factories control act 1950, sources told.
The Cane Commissioner Sindh was of the view that above mentioned types of sugar cane have low sucrose content as compared to other varieties. This sudden decision has created unrest among thousands of growers who have been cultivating these varieties of sugar cane in various parts of Sindh.
According to official sources, Sindh had produced 13,766,370 metric tons sugar cane in 2010 and with imposing of such ban about 10% crops would be affected in 2011. Badin, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Thatta, Khairpur, Naushehroferoze, Benazirabad (Nawabshah), Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad districts are major producers of sugar cane, sources added.
Deputy Secretary Agriculture (Technical), Abdul Aziz Channa told Business Recorder that they had informed growers earlier not to sow these 3 varieties but a large number of growers could not follow directives of the department. He said that authorities are observing this issue seriously so hopefully they would come up with any positive decision shortly. On the other hand, Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) has condemned this decision and said that the Sindh government should have taken growers on board regarding such decisions and should have found a way to resolve the issue instead of imposing ban amid cultivation.
General Secretary SAB, Mahmood Nawaz Shah told Business Recorder that so far sugar cane crop is standing in fields and it would be harvested in September-October. The agriculture department would have made relaxation of minimum 2 years in ban as growers could harvest their crops properly and could secure themselves from expected financial losses, he added.