FAQs
We are pleased to present Sugar Research Australia’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2031. It is grounded in a shared purpose and a clear focus: delivering world class research, development and adoption outcomes for Australia’s sugarcane industry. This strategy sets our direction and reflects the organisation we continue to build, one that is collaborative, innovative and closely connected to the growing and milling communities we serve.
We’re here to partner with industry and government to lift productivity through being the science leader in the Australian sugar industry.
To support the Australian sugar industry to lift productivity by 10% by 2031.
SRA will strive to lift the productivity of the Australian sugar industry by 10% by 2031 by focusing on high-impact variety development, research, adoption and partnerships – accelerating the shift from proven knowledge to real gains in yield, profitability and resilience.
Historical productivity growth has been slow to deliver the step-change the industry needs, increasing by approximately 0.2% per year since 1975. Over the past decade, average cane yield has been approximately 89 t/ha1. Reaching 98 t/ha by 2031 would represent a 10% uplift from this baseline.
The 10% uplift to 98 t/ha will be pursued across three pathways:
1. Near-term gains from adoption of proven practices and better use of existing varieties
2. Mid-term avoided losses from crop protection solutions
3. Longer-term genetic gain from a modernised
variety development pipeline.
Each of the Priorities contained within the Strategic Plan has an Action Plan outlining the delivery roadmap to achieve its outcomes.
If you would like a copy of the Action Plan for a specific Priority, please email us at sra@sugarresearch.com.au stating the words ‘ACTION PLAN’ and the ‘Priority #’ you would like to see in the subject line.
We will provide annual updates on each Priority, reporting on these Actions to all stakeholders.
SRA will align investment to the priorities most likely to improve productivity and deliver value to growers, millers and government investors. Investment will focus on three strategic focus areas: developing better varieties, reducing losses from disease, pests and weeds, and accelerating adoption. These priorities will be supported by district delivery and partnerships, organisational enablers and core services.
SRA will apply a disciplined investment approach by:
• Prioritising work with a clear pathway to productivity uplift
• Using partnerships and co-investment to increase reach, capability and value for money, applying decision gates to major R&D and
deployment investments
• Balancing near-term impact with longer-term delivery.
Accelerate adoption of proven profitable practices and technologies.
SRA’s focus is to help achieve a 10% uplift in productivity by 2031 through disciplined
development, demonstration and delivery of profitable commercial practices.
SRA will package and deploy proven practices that can lift yield, reduce losses and improve returns at national and local scales. Practical initiatives include:
• Enable growers to optimise variety selection and management by developing clear agronomic packages for priority varieties, including soils, nutrition, irrigation, disease risk, ratooning, harvest timing and expected
performance under district conditions.
• Build adviser capability through practical training and field-based learning so district partners can help growers test, adapt and
adopt new practices.
• Implement District Impact Plans at the local level to identify and resolve those issues that are holding back productivity and profitability.