Local sugar production hits new high

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Sri Lanka's sugar production recorded remarkable progress last year with sugar production reaching 48.8 percent to 53,061 metric tons in 2013 mainly due to the increased extent of sugar cane cultivation by 28.5 percent to 11,801 hectares.

According to the Annual Report 2013 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the quantity of sugarcane crushed at the three sugar factories, Pelwatta, Sevanagala and Gal Oya had increased by 49 percent to 643,403 metric tons, reflecting the increase in the yield of sugarcane per hectare due to the adoption of better agricultural practices such as the use of fertiliser and high yielding varieties together with the increase in extent cultivated.

In addition, the adequate rainfall during the year and the increase in the average producer price of sugarcane to over Rs.4,000 per metric tons have also encouraged cultivators to return to sugarcane cultivation from other crops.

Sugar production at the three factories will continue to improve in the ensuing period supported by the Government's commitment to increase domestic sugar production through various strategies which include increased new planting, proper irrigation systems, provision of agriculture finance and insurance schemes, the report said.