Dr. William Lee Burnquist’s Visit to Punjab, Pakistan

Dr. William Lee Burnquist visited Punjab, Pakistan from December 8 to 15, 2025, as part of an extensive engagement with the Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB), Punjab, aimed at strengthening collaboration in sugarcane research, innovation, and capacity building.

During his visit, Dr. Burnquist held high-level meetings with the Secretary Agriculture, Government of Punjab, as well as members of the SRDB Board of Governors and Executive Committee and representatives of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association. These discussions focused on advancing research partnerships and improving productivity within the sugarcane sector.

A key highlight of the visit was Dr. Burnquist’s lecture at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), followed by visits to major research institutions including the Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Agri Biotechnology Research Institute (ABRI), and various biotechnology and greenhouse facilities.

Dr. Burnquist also toured multiple sugarcane research centers and sugar mills across Punjab, where Brazilian RB cane fuzz and RB/CTC varieties donated by SRDB were under evaluation. These visits included research institutes at Ramzan, Safina, Shakarganj, Fatima, Sheikhoo, Ashraf, and JDW Sugar Mills, with a focus on varietal trials, nursery handling, tissue culture, soil and water testing, pathology, bio-control, and modern irrigation practices.

The visit concluded with capacity-building sessions, field evaluations, and a Board of Governors meeting hosted in Sadiqabad, reinforcing SRDB’s commitment to technology transfer, international collaboration, and the sustainable development of Pakistan’s sugarcane sector.