Sugar Plus

ROADMAP POINTS TO BIOECONOMY FUTURE FOR SUGARCANE

A document which sets out measures to strengthen and build the Australian sugarcane industry, whilst charting a path to a bigger, bolder future has been launched.

Called Sugar Plus, it was developed with whole-of-industry support through a process that started with a Leaders' Forum that CANEGROWERS initiated in 2020.

The aim is to position the industry to make the most of bioeconomy opportunities.

“It is exciting as a cane grower to be at the starting point of a new chapter in our sugarcane industry’s story,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said.

“We are ready to lead the transition, working with existing and new investors.”

By working together, we can increase profitability and keep the industry growing.

Sugarcane is one of the most resilient and adaptable agricultural crops on Earth, making it perfect to fuel future:

• Food - raw sugar will continue to be important in feeding the world and sugar is a feedstock for a new generation of animal-free foods;

• Energy - building on co-generated power and ethanol production to provide the next frontier of sustainable mobility and power; and

• Fabrication – making products that enable a more sustainable way of life, including replacements for plastics.

Mr Menkens said the industry organisations involved in drawing up the document were committed to ongoing collaboration to implement the roadmap and realise the Sugar Plus vision.

“By working together, we can increase profitability and keep the industry growing. Just as we have been involved in the process so far, CANEGROWERS will continue to represent growers in this important process as working groups are formed,” Mr Menkens said.

“We can be an industry that the state and nation are proud of, that communities want to support, and young people want to start their career with.”

We can be an industry that the state and nation are proud of, that communities want to support, and young people want to start their career with.

The roadmap was developed through a ninemonth process jointly funded and supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, Sugar Research Australia, CANEGROWERS, the Australian Sugar Milling Council, AgForce, Australian Cane Farmers Association and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Read more and watch the video: sugarresearch.com.au/resources-and-media/ sugarcane-industry-roadmap