Punjab Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Sunday maintained that mechanisation in sugarcane cultivation, specifically in planting and harvesting, is need of the hour in view of the labour problem as well as to get higher yield
Randhawa, after inaugurating the exhibition regarding latest techniques in sugarcane cultivation and modernisation of sugar mills at Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), Pune, in the presence of former Union Minister and VSI president Sharad Pawar, said that there was a dire need to make efforts to increase per acre yield of sugarcane to augment the income of farmers and all concerned States should make joint efforts for the same.
At the same time, Randhawa sought special assistance from the Government of India for modernization of sugar industry so as to turn these into sugar complexes producing various byproducts like Ethanol, Bio CNG, Cogeneration of Power and Bio Fertilizers etc. “This will not only help sugar mills to become viable from financial point of view but also save the colossal amount of money being spent on import of crude oil in the country,” he added.
The exhibition regarding latest technological developments in sugarcane cultivation and modernization of sugar industry was held on the sidelines of the three-day second International Conference held at VSI Pune.
Randhawa appreciated efforts being made by Pawar for raising the economic standard of the sugarcane farmers.
He expressed his desire that Punjab and Maharashtra should jointly make efforts for welfare of sugarcane growers and approach Central Government to provide special incentives for sugarcane farmers to adopt drip irrigation, mechanization in planting and harvesting of sugarcane which will not only help in the conservation of water but would also come in handy for the farmers to overcome labour shortage.
Sharad Pawar, thanking Randhawa for attending the conference, also appreciated the concerns shown by him for welfare of sugarcane farmers of Punjab and development of cooperative sugar mills in the State.
Pawar further assured that besides full assistance from VSI, Pune, he will be ready personally also for any assistance required for welfare of sugarcane growers of Punjab.