Vision
To transform Pakistan’s sugarcane sector into a productive, competitive, technology-driven, and sustainable industry through scientific research, innovation, institutional collaboration, and international cooperation.
Introduction
SRDB · Institutional Profile
Introduction
Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB), Punjab, Pakistan — connecting research, innovation, industry and growers for a stronger sugarcane sector.
About SRDB
Sugar Research and Development Board (SRDB) invests in research, development and adoption (RD&A) activities on behalf of sugarcane growers and millers to meet industry challenges and opportunities.
Sugarcane Research and Development Board was established in 2014 as a sugarcane grower- and miller-owned organization. SRDB is the declared Services Body for the Punjab sugarcane industry and growers. SRDB is funded primarily through the statutory sugarcane levy (cess fund) paid equally by sugarcane growers and millers.
The Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB), Punjab, Pakistan, is a dedicated institutional platform established to promote, coordinate, facilitate, and strengthen research and development in the sugarcane sector. SRDB aims to bring together government institutions, agricultural universities, research organizations, sugar mills, industry stakeholders, and international research partners to enhance sugarcane productivity, improve crop quality, promote modern technologies, and ensure the sustainable development of the sugar and sugarcane industry.
Recognizing the strategic importance of sugarcane as a major cash crop and an important contributor to Pakistan’s agricultural economy, SRDB is committed to bridging the gap between scientific research, technological innovation, and practical field-level applications.
Vision and Mission
Mission
To promote high-quality, demand-driven research and development, facilitate the development and introduction of improved sugarcane varieties, enhance cane yield and sugar recovery, strengthen technology transfer, and establish effective linkages between research institutions and the sugar industry.
Major Areas of Focus
Variety Development & Crop Improvement
High-yielding varieties, improved sugar recovery, disease resistance, germplasm development, and modern breeding methods.
Modern Production Technologies
Improved agronomy, cultivation and harvesting mechanization, precision agriculture, digital tools, and efficient input use.
Crop Protection & Disease Management
Research on diseases and pests, integrated management, healthy seed cane, and diagnostic laboratory capacity.
Cane Quality & Sugar Recovery
Sucrose content, cane quality assessment, CCS, Brix, Pol, Fiber, and stronger research-to-mill linkages.
Research Collaboration & Technology Transfer
Joint projects, scientific exchange, workshops, training, farmer outreach, and institutional partnerships.
Institutional Leadership and Governance
SRDB operates through a Board of Governance, providing a platform for representation and participation of relevant government departments, agricultural research institutions, universities, and sugar industry stakeholders.
Chairman
Chaudhry Muhammad Zaka Ashraf
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Shahid Afghan
The Board emphasizes institutional coordination, research prioritization, transparent governance, and effective engagement among public-sector research organizations and private-sector stakeholders.
Strategic Outlook
SRDB is committed to advancing the future of Pakistan’s sugarcane sector through:
- Development of high-yielding, high-sugar, and climate-resilient sugarcane varieties.
- Establishment of stronger national and international research partnerships.
- Introduction of advanced breeding, biotechnology, and molecular research approaches.
- Promotion of mechanized and precision-based sugarcane production.
- Improvement of cane quality and industrial sugar recovery.
- Development of modern research, diagnostic, and training facilities.
- Strengthening farmer outreach and technology transfer.
The Way Forward
The Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB), Punjab, Pakistan, aspires to serve as a leading institutional platform for the advancement of sugarcane research, innovation, and industry development. Through strategic partnerships, scientific excellence, modern technologies, and coordinated national efforts, SRDB seeks to contribute to higher agricultural productivity, improved sugar recovery, sustainable farming systems, and the long-term competitiveness of Pakistan’s sugarcane industry.
Information based on the Brief Profile of SRDB, Punjab, Pakistan.
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