During the training workshop on ‘modern technology for sugar crop production, which was organised by the Bangladesh Sugar Crop Research Institute (BSRI), speakers stated that the nation has 1.4 million tonnes of sugar deficit which can be minimised via the adoption of modern sugar production methods.
They stated that state-of-the-art technologies are necessary from planting to harvesting sugar crops.
They said modern production technologies should be used from planting to harvesting sugar crops.
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque stated that modern technology is a necessity in both sugarcane production and sugarcane threshing in sugar mills to get the expected production.
He also stated that other than sugarcane, many suitable crops could also be cultivated in the sugarcane fields at a time that could assist farmers to raise their profits.
A paper was presented by BSRI which stated that by taking into account the per head intake of 13 kilograms (kgs) of sugar and molasses yearly, the country has a demand for 2 million tonnes of sugar or molasses of which produces a paltry 0.6 million tonnes.
Of the locally produced amount, sugar comprises only 0.068 million tonnes and molasses 0.53 million tonnes, it said. There is a shortage of 1.4 million tonnes which is met through import, the paper said.
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