05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: A meeting held here on Saturday with Secretary Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Ismail Qureshi in the chair discussed in detail a mechanism of linking the price of sugarcane with the price of sugar.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), Ch. Muhammad Zaka Ashraf, Secretary General, PSMA, President, Kissan Board Pakistan, representatives from Farmers Association of Pakistan, Chamber of Agriculture MWFP and Cane Commissioners of Punjab and NWFP provinces.

Matters pertaining to conservation of water at farm and further distribution through drip or sprinkler irrigation; development of sugarcane crop through contribution of sugarcane cess fund; and Sugar Factory Control Act 1950 were also discussed in the meeting.

While discussing the issue to link sugarcane prices with the price of sugar it was observed that a rigorous analysis is required to examine the proposal of linking the price of sugarcane with sugar, to ensure price stability providing benefit to the industry, growers and consumers.

The issue can be taken up after the technical analysis is completed.

As regards the conservation of water, after detailed discussion by the participants on the initial cost and other parameters, a committee was constituted to look into the technical aspects of sprinkler and drip irrigation system in view of water shortage.

The committee was advised to discuss the matter in detail and come up with other options, which could easily be implemented at low cost.

On the research and development of sugarcane crop, it was agreed that the ECC's decision of the year 2000 may be implemented by the Provincial Governments in which 15 per cent of sugarcane cess funds already set aside for Research and Development of sugarcane crop.

A detailed discussion was held to review the Provincial Sugar Factory Control Act. A committee would finalize its recommendations on the issue.-APP