SUGAR FREE PAKISTAN

Well, undoubtedly Pakistan is a place where new records are set every day, but the recent crisis where the entire lot of country’s sugar disappeared is one of its kinds. In an agricultural country where sugar cane is a major crop, it is strange how the crisis shaped up. For a country wrapped up in an existential battle against extremists, the sugar crisis has attained unusual prominence.
Among the 105 countries of the world growing sugarcane, Pakistan ranks 4th in area, 14th in production and 60th in yield. Sugar consumption in Pakistan has been showing an increasing trend for the last 15 years. The current level of sugar prices in the country has not only affected the common person but also forced the Government to revise the progress of sugar industry to control the prices.
There has been clash between growers and millers over price. A study revealed that more than 65 per cent farmers have decreased the total area under cane production due to water shortage, behavior of the mills management, late payments, increased input cost, and diseases and rodent attack. The purchasing of excess stocks from mills and delayed payments to growers are bad aspects for the industry. Instead of checking the price hike, a free hand has been given to hoarders and profiteers, operators of the utilities stores for forcing consumers to buy other items if they sought sugar at controlled price.

The government has accused mill owners of hoarding to artificially send prices higher. But many of the mills are owned by some of Pakistan's most powerful politicians. In spite of the Supreme courts price fixture of Rs 40 per Kg it has been sold at a rate of around Rs 60 to 80 per Kg. Utility stores are also failed to provide enough amount and low rate sugar for the customers. While talking to reporters, Chairman Pakistan Sugar Mill Association, Iskandar Khan said, “Yes the sugar crises would further deepen in the country after the ending of current crushing season and on the other hand government is importing sugar at a time when its prices in international market are very high.”
There is a need to appoint an investigating committee to study the causes and suggest steps to renew the sugar sector. The committee should consist of experts from the agriculture, marketing, pricing, industry, sugar technology and the financial institutions. Agencies such as research and extension department should be directed to enhance the knowledge of growers through demonstration.