Pak-China tie-up proposed to produce high-grade sugar

Pakistan and China can produce high-grade sugar in abundance and export it across the world, stated Nazir Hussain, President of Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) during a think tank session held at the PCJCCI Secretariat.

“Sugarcane cooperation between China and Pakistan will bring a sweet revolution and will literally turn their friendship ‘sweeter than honey’,” he remarked. He said that the PCJCCI aimed to connect people and experts of China and Pakistan and provide them with a platform to exchange contemporary ideas.

Hussain urged the two countries to join hands to promote sugarcane production and processing in order to produce high-grade sugar, adding that they could export sugar to the world if cooperation was enhanced in the field.

He was of the view that Pakistan’s sugarcane industry could not prosper until growers got access to leading sugarcane varieties, which would offer great resistance against diseases.

Speaking at the event, PCJCCI Senior Vice President Brigadier (Retd) Mansoor Saeed Sheikh highlighted the need for application of ’tissue culture’, which could bring revolution to the cultivation of sugarcane.

He pointed out that the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Science was giving training to scientists across the globe. It has introduced 100 training courses for 4,000 participants from more than 90 countries.

More than 40 young scientists from Asia, Africa and Latin America have come to the academy for medium and long-term visits and exchanges. The academy has also sent its experts to over 20 countries for agricultural technology guidance.

“Conventional seeds are not suitable for planting. Breeding and planting disease-free seedlings are perfect for sugarcane production,” the SVP said.