March 16, 2002	Saturday	Muharram 1, 1423

ISLAMABAD, March 15: Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Muhammad Junejo on Friday said the sugar production is likely to exceed 3 million tons in 2001-02.

Talking to APP, he said the sugar has so far registered a production of 2.27 million tons against the production of 2 million tons during the corresponding period of last year.

He said the Punjab province cultivated sugarcane over an area of 690,000 hectares against the set target of 585,000 hectares. An area of 615,000 hectares was cultivated last year.

Area under sugarcane increased in Sindh province by a modest 1.68 per cent to 242,000 hectares against the target of 175,000 hectares. Last year, Sindh cultivated sugarcane over 238,000 hectares.

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association has estimated a rise in sugar production in Punjab by at least 30 per cent due to improved area, yield and sucrose recovery following significant rains and irrigation water availability.

The association has estimated a production of 1.9 million tons sugar in Punjab, 1.1 million tons in Sindh and 150,000 tons in NWFP this year.

Junejo said the sugarcane crop was cultivated over 1032,000 hectares against the target of 860,000 hectares of land.

According to set targets the Punjab province was to cultivate sugarcane over 585 thousand hectares of land , Sindh 175 hectares and NWFP 100 hectares.—APP