The government has announced that the Sugarcane crushing season across Pakistan will officially begin on November 15, following the decision of the Sugar Advisory Board (SAB). The announcement was made by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain.
According to the ministry, the decision was reached after consultations with provincial governments, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), cane commissioners, and officials from the ministries of industries, production, and commerce. The move aims to ensure that farmers receive timely payments and to avoid delays that have affected them in previous years.
Preliminary estimates suggest that Sugarcane production for the 2025–26 season will reach around 85 million tonnes, slightly higher than last year’s output of 84 million tonnes. The cultivated area under sugarcane has also expanded by nearly 1.7 percent, now covering 1.213 million hectares.
The meeting, chaired by Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, was attended by a PSMA delegation led by Chaudhary Zaka Ashraf, along with provincial and federal representatives. Officials discussed ways to ensure smooth operations during the upcoming crushing season.
The minister stressed that the start date was fixed to protect the interests of growers. He also warned that strict action would be taken against any mill that fails to start operations on time. The government has directed all mills to clear farmers’ dues promptly and to maintain transparency in payments.
Rana Tanveer emphasized that safeguarding farmer rights and promoting a fair and timely Sugarcane crushing process remain top government priorities. He added that all relevant departments have been instructed to monitor implementation closely.
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The decision marks the beginning of a crucial phase for Pakistan’s agricultural economy. With timely crushing and efficient coordination between m
