By Muhammad Luqman

Sugarcane cultivation in September, which once covered considerable acreage in Punjab, has been declining every year because of its longer maturity period and relatively lower returns compared with February planting, experts say.

“Most farmers do not like to keep their land engaged for a long time with a single crop such as sugarcane. September planting takes about 15 months to complete the crop cycle, while February planting completes it in about 10 months,” said Dr Muhammad Kashif Munir, Director of the Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Faisalabad.

Talking to Wealth Pakistan, he said September-planted sugarcane tends to lodge more frequently due to its vigorous growth, leading to wastage of produce and financial losses for farmers.

Moreover, he said wheat and potato are major competitors for land during the September planting period.

“As sowing wheat and potato is economically more viable, farmers do not prefer sugarcane cultivation,” he said.

Spring planting, carried out during February-March, accounts for nearly 70% of Punjab’s total sugarcane acreage, while September/autumn planting accounts for 10%-15%. Ratoon crops make up the remaining acreage. Total sugarcane cultivation across Punjab spans 2.1 million acres, following upward revisions to cultivation targets by provincial authorities in recent crop cycles.

Agriculture experts recommend cultivating sugarcane during September and October, depending on prevailing climatic conditions, particularly temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C.

The recommended varieties for September cultivation include CPF-237, CPF-250, CPF-252, CPF-253, FDP-254, CP-77-400 and YTF-236, along with CPF-246 in areas outside river belts.

Sugar technologists say sugar mills have traditionally recommended September planting because of its higher yield, better sucrose potential, early maturity and higher sugar recovery.

“But farmers have a different perspective. Only progressive growers adopt September planting and also obtain additional benefits through intercropping with short-duration crops,” said Zahid Qureshi, Director Technical of the Pakistan Society of Sugar Technologists (PSST).

Talking to Wealth Pakistan, he said autumn-planted sugarcane grows vigorously and becomes very tall, producing a large biomass.

“The crop can subsequently become vulnerable to lodging due to strong winds, heavy rain and weak anchorage,” Qureshi warned.

He said sugar mills could encourage farmers to cultivate sugarcane in autumn by announcing a premium price for September-planted cane and guaranteeing early procurement.

Moreover, the availability of free or discounted seed could also motivate farmers to cultivate the September crop, he added.

According to members of the farming community, the development of short-duration sugarcane varieties has also discouraged September cultivation.

“These new varieties are suitable for February sowing and complete their crop cycle in nine to 10 months, compared with the 15-month crop cycle of September-sown sugarcane,” said Ebadur Rehman Khan, Director of Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP).

The Punjab government and sugar mills have consistently tried to convince growers to adopt September sowing of sugarcane, he said.

“But it is the economics that decides the cultivation of a particular crop and a particular variety within a particular time window,” Khan said.

He said the government and sugar mills could encourage September cultivation by ensuring higher sugar-recovery-based incentives and promoting contract farming with assured purchase.

Credit: INP-WealthPk