Tank : A one-day seminar on sugar beet production is being organized on June 9 in collaboration with University of Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan. In this seminar Prof. Dr. Masroor Elahi Babar (T.I.) Opening Note Guest Special Research Center Dera Ismail Khan and Qayyum Khan will be the Director Agriculture Research Institute Rata Kalachi Dera Ismail Khan. Industries, Hi-Tech Feeds Lahore has collaborated. Participants from various universities, research institutes, sugar industry and farming community will participate in the seminar. The specific objectives of this seminar are to explore the possibilities of production of Chinese beetroot and its by-products. Expansion of sugar beet production is a way forward for commercial processing. Highlighting Chinese Beet Seed Production Opportunities and Growth Program. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the second most important sugar crop after sugarcane, producing about 30% of the world’s sugar annually. In Pakistan, beetroot is grown and processed as an important cash and sugar crop of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). It is considered as an alternative sugar crop of the region. This crop is characterized by high yield with recovery of 20-25% more sugar. Furthermore, growing sugar beet gives higher financial profit (Rs. 9,000) per acre than sugarcane crop. Beetroot pulp is also used as animal feed. The use of beetroot pulp makes animals healthier, especially dairy animals because beetroot pulp increases their milk production. Therefore, the purpose of conducting this seminar is to transfer information about sugar beet production and to solve problems in transportation and processing of sugar beet. The seminar will facilitate, encourage and develop linkages between researchers, the farming community and other stakeholders to provide effective strategies for addressing the challenges of sugar beet production and its side use.
