ANALYSIS OF SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN; CONSTRAINTS AND YIELD NEXUS

Abstract

Purpose of study: For the previous couple of years, sugarcane crop production is under crisis for many reasons. This study aimed at exploring those reasons impeding the potential production of sugarcane in the Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab, Pakistan. Methodology: A total of 343 randomly selected sugarcane growers participated in this study as respondents. Data were collected through face-to-face interview techniques on a structured and validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 22). Results: Quantitative results indicated that the total production of sugarcane during the last two years dropped from 833 to 636 mounds per acre. The chi-square analysis confirmed that production, protection, climatic changes policy and financially associated factors had statistically significant (P<0.05) inverse impacts on sugarcane production. In contrast, the marketing factors were statistically non-significant for the production of sugarcane (P>0.05). The qualitative findings as perceived by key informants confirmed that non-availability of disease-resistant varieties, traditional irrigation mechanism, lack of proper plant protection measures, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), climate change, high cost of production, and sluggish policy had pressurized the sugarcane production. Recommendations: It is suggested that the development of insect pests, diseasesand drought-resistant varieties should be launched. Efficient and alternate row irrigation system, climate change adoption strategies, integrated pest management, mechanized farming of sugarcane should be adopted in order to curtail the production cost and increase the level of production. Novelty: Studies have been conducted to investigate the influencing factors on the yield of sugarcane but this is the first study that indicates the association of those factors that are hampering on-farm production of sugarcane crop in district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.