The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) is celebrating its centenary. Although it has made remarkable achievements over the past century, SASRI’s abilities will arguably be most tested as the country’s primary sugarcane value chain aims for a future of diversification.
By Lloyd Phillips
Despite having to overcome numerous challenges in its 100-year history, the industry-funded South African Sugarcane Research Institute’s activities have contributed significantly to developing and sustaining the country’s vitally important primary sugarcane value chain. SASRI and its generations of dedicated researchers have, in fact, been so good at their work that the institute has even developed some world firsts that have elevated its name firmly into the global research space.
This, and other accolades, were presented by various industry leaders at SASRI’s official 100th anniversary celebration held on Tuesday 15 July at KwaShukela (Place of Sugar) in Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Carolyn Baker, who was SASRI’s director from 2009 to 2021, said developing multiple sugarcane varieties increasingly suited to South Africa’s different production conditions in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, was only one aspect of the institute’s successful research.
There was also sugarcane flowering and pollen production research, a soil classification system and advanced soil management research, “world-class” crop models, the development of chemical ripeners, and pest and disease controls research.
SASRI furthermore established the fertiliser advisory service, a industry-specific extension service for both larger- and smaller-scale growers, and a knowledge management unit.
The institute has worked independently and in collaboration with other research institutions both in South Africa and internationally.
Locally focused and world-renowned
Baker said: “SASRI is a world-renowned facility that has often been referred to as punching above its weight. It is undoubted that its researchers’ ethos of collective responsibility and cooperation is what sets SASRI apart.
“So much has changed, and yet the primary customers of SASRI have remained exactly the same… namely the sugarcane growers.”
Higgins Mdluli is chairperson of the SA Canegrowers’ Association that, together with the South African Farmers Development Association, represents the interests of the country’s approximately 1 200 larger-scale and about 24 000 smaller-scale sugarcane growers.
“Not many agricultural sectors can say they have had a dedicated research partner for 100 years. This is an extraordinary privilege that our growers do not take for granted. Just in the last five years we have seen fluctuating global sugar prices and increased sugar imports into South Africa; we’ve gone from devastating loadshedding levels to almost none; a global pandemic and economic shutdown; severe climate volatility; and the continuing effect of the sugar tax.
“And, yet, through all of this, we [sugarcane growers] have stood firm, thanks in no small part to SASRI’s contributions that have helped us stay productive, competitive and environmentally conscious.”
Mdluli reminded that South Africa’s primary sugarcane value chain is in the process of researching and developing important diversification opportunities to reduce is historical dependence on highly price-sensitive sugar and molasses for the majority of its income. To help achieve and benefit from this, the country’s sugarcane growers will continue to depend heavily on SASRI’s ongoing research.
Innovation. Adaptation. Diversification.
“The future of this industry will depend on our ability to innovate, adapt and diversify. Whether through new sugarcane varieties that can withstand drought and disease, new farming techniques that reduce emissions, or new markets like bioenergy and sustainable aviation fuels, the path forward will be forged in your laboratories and tested in our fields,” said Mdluli.
Dr Shadrack Moephuli has been at SASRI’s helm since 2024. He pointed out that, among other research plans, building on already long-time genetic modification, and now gene editing, research with sugarcane holds immense promise for the future of South Africa’s primary sugarcane value chain.
“We’re just at the cusp of the integration between biology, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. It is what’s going to drive the future. And if we don’t take advantage of it, we actually might find ourselves running way behind.
“This direction is particularly towards driving the sugar industry towards a sugarcane-based industry that actually is going to result in the development of new products that are actually going to create new businesses and new opportunities for everybody.”
Rex Talmage chairs the sugarcane research and sustainable agriculture committee that has oversight responsibilities for SASRI’s operations. He said: “Today, SASRI stands at the forefront of change. Our industry is transforming. We’re moving beyond just producing sugar. We’re embracing the full potential of sugarcane.”
