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. It is a major industry of Punjab which should invest an adequate amount of money in Research & Development.
In establishing sound R & D program in Punjab, SRDB has identified seven (7) core areas like Sugarcane varietal improvement through breeding and germplasm repository, sugarcane production technology, plant protection, redefining the sugarcane cultivation zones, market infrastructure; Sugar economic index & procurement, diversification and capacity building and enhanced local and international linkages among stakeholders.
We are aiming to establish 20 seed banks for germplasm repository through consolidated breeding program. We may also be developing 20 more sugarcane site specific varieties with desired characters to meet demands of the growers and industry. Launching of accredited and certified sugarcane testing lab is on the card to provide calibrated values. Release of Pakistan sugar journal is continued to sustain flow of knowledge from scientist to the ultimate beneficiaries.
SRDB is initiating collaboration among all research institutes nationally, as it may succeed in developing required breeding strategies through combined efforts. Identifying new zoning sites is also recommended so that a variety is provided with its potential geography. International collaboration has also been started with U.S.A, South Africa, Thailand, Australia, France, Sri Lanka and others for the import of fuzz and exchange of material on mutual basis.
Protocols for approved and unapproved varieties have been developed and a check is suggested to be imposed on the movement of un approved varieties. Use of GIS and remote sensing application and NIR technology for sucrose analysis is also recommended.
