Introduction
Established in 2014, the Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB), Punjab, is a grower- and miller-owned organization supporting research, development and adoption (RD&A) for the sugarcane industry. Funded primarily through a statutory sugarcane levy shared equally by growers and millers, SRDB connects agricultural universities, research institutions, sugar mills and industry partners to improve cane productivity, sugar recovery and sustainable production.
Its priorities include improved varieties, modern production technologies, crop protection, cane quality, international research cooperation and practical technology transfer to growers.
Chairman Message
The stabilization of sugarcane production and productivity is now a core imperative for national strategic economic security, driven by the dual pressures of rising domestic consumption and the need for consistent export surpluses. Without a reliable production base, the sector remains vulnerable to market volatility, threatening both the long-term viability of milling operations and the stability of consumer pricing.
CEO Message
Our vision is to sustain strengths and find weaknesses in supply chain of sugarcane from growers to industry and sugar to end consumers. Sugarcane occupying an important position in agrarian economy of Pakistan, is amongst the most efficient flora of agriculture world. Pakistan sugar industry can no longer afford the luxury of doing little research and development work relatively in relation to its size.
CEO Profile
Dr. Shahid Afghan is the Acting CEO of the Sugarcane Research & Development Board (SRDB). He has 30 years of experience in sugarcane plant improvement, teaching, and administration. Dr. Afghan is an HEC-approved PhD supervisor and Editor-in-Chief of the Pakistan Sugar Journal; he has completed national and international research projects on sugarcane with WWF-Pakistan.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our Vision 2030
Transform Pakistan’s sugarcane sector into a productive, competitive, technology-driven and sustainable industry through scientific research, innovation, institutional collaboration and international cooperation.
Develop high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties; improve water and input efficiency; advance mechanization, precision agriculture and technology transfer to growers and researchers.
Our Mission
Promote high-quality, demand-driven research and development to introduce improved sugarcane varieties, increase cane yields and sugar recovery, and strengthen sustainable production systems across Punjab.
Connect research institutions, growers and sugar mills through modern agronomy, crop protection, biotechnology, mechanization, capacity building and effective technology transfer.
Principle Functions
- Advance high-yielding, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties and germplasm research.
- Promote mechanization, precision farming and efficient water, fertilizer and input use.
- Support crop protection, disease diagnostics and healthy seed-cane production.
- Improve cane quality, sucrose content and commercial sugar recovery.
- Coordinate research partnerships, farmer training and technology transfer.
Our Principles
Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB) Punjab Pakistan opens R&D Fund call for always:
- SRDB has announced the Research Fund to deliver impactful research investment to Punjab’s sugarcane industry.
- SRDB invites growers, millers, industry bodies, researchers, universities, and innovators to submit their visionary ideas to solve the sugarcane industry’s challenges and deliver tangible outputs with industry-wide outcomes.
- “SRDB commitment to the industry is evident with this Rs. 900 million research investment designed to capture new ideas and opportunities that will make a difference”.
Research, Collaboration & Capacity Building
SRDB brings researchers, growers, sugar mills and universities together to turn scientific advances into practical benefits. Its focus spans improved sugarcane varieties, biotechnology, efficient production, mechanization, crop protection, cane quality and higher sugar recovery.
International cooperation: The institutional profile lists research linkages with USDA Agricultural Research Service (USA), REDISA (Brazil), CIRAD (Réunion), and sugarcane research and mechanization organizations in China, including SRI, GXAAS and TAGRM.
Training and outreach: Scientific workshops, professional training, field demonstrations and knowledge exchange help farmers and agricultural professionals adopt modern technologies. SRDB also reports an international training programme on advanced sugarcane production for participants from Sudan.