Corporate Social Responsibility - Sustainable Development Policy ...

Studying the Sugar Production Process in PakistanVinasse production from beet molasses can however be utilized in animal feed,as can beet pulp residues, either directly or mixed with molasses and dried.Moreover this vinasse and treated waste water from sugar cane mills is suitablefor irrigation. There is however a fear that these products might pollute soils andgroundwater and cause salinisation, especially if used in large amounts. Studiespresented that irrigation with cane effluent was found to suppress germinationof peas in Balrampur, India.Bagasse holds the potential of being an important cellulose source for theproduction of chemicals like pentosans (including furfural) and allied substances.To aid re-vegetation and stabilization of denuded land bagasse can be applied astrash mulch. Further, it can also be used as an excellent substrate for mushroomcultivation, with the cultivation residue potentially used in animal feed. Sugarbeet tops can be left on the soil surface of fields, as a source of nitrogen for the nextcrop in the rotation.Fly ash extracted from boiler chimney gas also shows its use as a filtration aid inthe sugar mill as well as in removal of certain pesticides from wastewater. 51IV. FertilizersNitrogenous fertilisers are applied to sugarcane in many areas at around 50-200kg/ha/year, this leads to the process of soil acidification. These fertilizers areexpensive and also reduce crop yield. Sugar industries should advicerecommendations on fertiliser use and guide farmers.Fertiliser use can be reduced through a number of practices including a more sitespecific assessment of fertiliser requirements, cultivation of leguminous greenmanure crops during fallow periods or in rotation, the use of biofertilisers(combinations of nitrogenfixing micro-organisms and organic amendments),green cane harvesting and press mud, a sugar cane mill by-product which isparticularly effective for reducing phosphorus deficiency in cane.Mills can provide the farmers of their region the press mud, a phosphorous richbyproduct, for free or at minimal rates as well as provide education on the topicsconvincing the growers that better management can lead to benefits for the51Sugar and the Environment, WWF report. Available on: http://www.sugarcoconut.com/blogs/21-environmental-effectsof-sugar.htmly 51