Udaipur, August 26: Former President APJ Abdul Kalam today said the stocks of sugar available were enough to fulfill the requirement of the country for two months only.
Calling the situation as alarming, Kalam said immediate steps should be taken to improve it.
Speaking at the inauguration of 70th annual conference of the Sugar Technologists Association of India, Kalam said the per hectare production of Sugar in India had fallen from 70 metric tons in the year 2000 to 60 metric tons in 2009.
He said non-availability of high yielding varieties of seeds, improper management of water and non-practice of advanced technologies are some of the causes of low yield.
Scientists, industry, experts and farmers should form a joint front to meet the sugar crisis, he added.
The renowned scientist appealed the industry to progressively increase and improve sugar recovery by adopting latest technologies.
Kalam suggested that the sugar industry could prosper by simplification of export laws, development of new technology and by giving more importance to green energy in national energy policy.
—Agencies