The scientists of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, have developed sugarcane varieties which have contributed significantly to increase in sugar production in the country.
This was stated by Dr Arshad Ali Chattha, Director, Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Faisalabad, while addressing an awareness seminar on control of viral diseases of sugarcane, arranged in co-operation with Pakistan Agriculture Research Centre (PARC), Islamabad, here on Saturday. He said that the country has not only become self-sufficient in sugar production but is also exporting it to other countries, like Sri Lanka, Yemen and Bangladesh.
He said that scientists have developed technological package for sugarcane production which, if adopted properly, could double sugarcane production in the country. He said that some sugarcane varieties, evolved by AARI scientists, are in the pipeline which are far superior to the existing varieties, and would revolutionise sugarcane production, after proper approval. Dr Chattha said that AARI scientists have also developed a method of sugarcane sowing which increases sugarcane production, besides saving irrigation water.
Scientists delivered lectures on various aspects of sugarcane production technology and explained the methods for controlling sugarcane diseases and attacks of insects and pests. Agriculture scientists, farmers, representatives of sugar industry, Dr Tahira Jasmine from PARC, Dr Muneer Nayyar from Madina Sugar Mills, and Dr Muhammad Javaid from Ramzan Sugar Mills also attended the seminar.