Hanoi (VNS/VNA) -While many people believe that sugarcane farmers will face difficulties after Vietnamimplements the ASEAN Trade In Goods Agreement (ATIGA), there are also somewho say it could offer bright prospects for Vietnamese sugarcane to maximiseits economic value if there is coordination between the State, scientists,entrepreneurs and especially farmers. 

Professor Vo Tong Xuan, a topagricultural expert, said that if it was invested and exploited thoroughly,sugarcane could bring high economic value for Vietnamese farmers and businesses.

The State hasbeen pushing solutions to support farmers in recent years, includingproviding funding for scientists to research and provide new sugarcanevarieties for farmers, and to guide scientific cultivation to improvesugarcane productivity.

Sugarcane had manyadvantages and high economic value, the DauTu Chung Khoan (Securities Investment) magazine quoted the professoras saying.

At the same time, the State,scientists and entrepreneurs had been creating conditions for the developmentof sugarcane, he said.

Farmers should change the wayof their thinking about growing sugarcane, apply the correct technicalprocesses for selecting varieties, soil and fertiliser, whileincreasing links with businesses to improve sugarcane productivityand reduce production costs, he said.

Sugarcane was an importantindustrial crop, providing the main raw material for sugar production, anessential necessity in daily life, and at the same time contributing to povertyalleviation in many rural areas, added the professor.

The country's sugarcaneplantations cover 270,000 hectares, with average sugar outputreaching 1.3-1.5 million tonnes per year, creating livelihoods for over35,000 farming households.

Sugarcane had manyadvantages over other short-term crops, said Xuan.

In terms of biology, sugarcaneis widely adaptable and easy to cultivate, with good resistance toharsh natural conditions and environments. It also has the abilityto regenerate, helping to reduce production costs.

In term of industry, sugarcane isa multipurpose tree, with possible economic benefits from root to top.Sugarcane stems can be used for sugar, wine, paper, plywood,pharmaceutical and electricity production.

Sugar cane tops and leaves can beused as green manure. In particular, the development of commercial electricityfrom bagasse is considered to have great potential, as currently biomasselectricity only reaches about 26.5 percent of the development target.

On the other hand, according toOECD-FAO forecasts, domestic sugar consumption in Vietnam would increaseby 5 percent to about 1.8 million tonnes by 2023./.