Courtesy: Classes X 2007

Raw MaterialsSugar is mainly made from sugar cane. The main areas of sugar-cane production from Sindh to Punjab are widely spread. As sugar cane is a tropical crop, it can’t tolerate frost. General output of sugar cane is 37.5 tonnes per hectare.

Sugarcane crop

Sugar mills have to be located near the sugarcane fields because:

•sugarcane starts losing its sugar content as soon as it is harvested. It needs to be crushed immediately.

•sugarcane is bulky and heavy. Therefore, its transportation cost is high.

Products and By-products

• Sugarcane is used primarily in the making of sugar, ghur and other sweet products.

• By-products are:

1. Bagasses: Used to make paper, chipboard, animal feed and also used as a fuel to produce electricity to run machinery in sugar mills.

1. Molasses: Are used to produce various types of acid and ethylene, which can be turned to packaging plastics.

A sugar product

Making Ghur (Jaggery)

Jaggery (Gur

By product:Bagasse Packed Sugar

Uses of processed sugar Sugar has many uses:

•As a sweetener: Sugar is added to foods or drinks to make them taste more pleasant. For example, it balances the bitterness of coffee and reduces the tartness of sour fruit.

•As a preservative: Sugar is a natural preservative that binds water to prevent the growth of micro-organisms, thereby reducing food spoilage, as in jams and preservatives.

•As a bulking agent: Sugars gives texture to a variety of foods, from jams to frozen products.

PAPER

June 2001/Paper 2/Qs 4(b)(i) Describe the distribution of sugar mills in Pakistan [4](ii) Explain why sugar mills must be close to area of sugar cultivation. [2](iii) State the inputs required by a processing factory such as a sugar mill. [6](iv) Select a sugar mill at one of the following locations;

Faisalabad Mardan Thatta Explain how its input needs are satisfied. [6](v) At sugar mills the milling season lasts only 160 days. What problems does this cause and how might they be overcome? [4]

November 2002/Paper 2/Qs 3(a) For sugar cane,(i) Name an area which is important for growing it. [1](ii) State the natural inputs that enable it to be grown in the are you have named in (a) (i). [5](iii) Explain why human inputs are very important for its successful cultivation in Pakistan. [5](iv) State three processes necessary for the cultivation of sugarcane [3](v) State the form in which it is taken to the sugar mill. [1](b) Explain why sugar mills need to be close to farms growing . Sugarcane. [3]

M/J/06

Q3.b(i)Name the areas of high sugarcane production. [3]

(ii)Why are these areas suitable for the cultivation of sugarcane? [4]

(iii)What happens to sugarcane from the time it is fully grown to when sugar juice is extracted? [3]

(iv)Explain why baggases is an important by product of sugarcane industry. [3]

Q1:Describe the main processes in the sugar cane industry?

Q2:Name the main locations of sugarcane production?

Q3:Why are the sugarcane industries near the fields?

Q4:Describe the problems faced by sugarcane growing farmers?

Question Bank(2000-2007)