Introduction
Sugarcane is among leading cash crops of the world, and it grown in over 100 countries. Pakistan, India, Brazil, China and Thailand are major producers of sugar cane. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sugar cane plays an important role in uplifting the socioeconomic conditions of farmers. Rapid growth and expansion of the sugar industry has contributed significantly to the economic development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sugarcane is a big source of earning to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government since the crop brings billions of rupees to the country in terms of taxes and duties7. However, sugarcane farming requires huge resources in terms of extensive labor and capital. It is one of the leading constraints faced by many farmers, reducing their production and earnings5.
In Pakistan, sugarcane is grown on nearly 1.2 million hectares providing the raw material used by 90 sugar mills7. The sugarcane industry is the second biggest agriculture –based industry coming behind textiles industries 6. Data from the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) projects that in 2018/2019 financial year, sugarcane production will be 72 million tons, a decline of 12% from the previous year7. The main provinces of sugar production in Pakistan includes, Punjab accounting for 65%, Sindh 25%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 10%. It is worth noting that in spite of the decline in production, the demand for sugar is still high both locally and internationally.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as stated is a key sugarcane growing region in Pakistan. Farmers decide for sugarcane farming in autumn or spring, though autumn planting offers better results owing to a longer growing season. Farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mainly plant their sugarcane during spring and harvest between eight and ten months later. Sugarcane yields per hectare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are relatively low7. This is caused by water shortage, irregular application fertilizer and pesticide and lack of high yielding sugarcane varieties7. Below is data showing sugarcane production on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts between in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.