Environmental and Economic Benefits of Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative and Production Constraints in Pakistan: A Review

Abstract

Sugarcane crop has a vital role to play in the economy of developing countries. The crop requires a high amount of water during its development. Therefore, it becomes necessary to adopt innovative, ecofriendly, and water-efficient methods for its cultivation. In this chapter, sugarcane production constraints have been discussed to promote sustainable sugarcane production with special reference to Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) techniques. The constraints include high input costs, poor production practices, water scarcity, lack of implementation of modern technologies, less incentives, climate change, and delay in payment to the farmers. Sugarcane production can significantly be increased by using SSI with less input costs, efficient water utilization, reduction of weed losses, and controlling the infestation of pests and diseases. There is a need to take proper steps for increasing the production and profitability of sugarcane by timely irrigation, cost-effective inputs, better-quality seeds, and preventive measures against post-harvest losses. The capacity building of sugarcane farmers is also recommended. © The Editor(s) (ifapplicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.