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ACP Sugar Research Programme

The sugar research projects supported by the ACP group of States and

funded by the EU

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Objectives

• Strengthening the competitiveness of the Cane-Sugar commodity chains

• Strengthening the research centres capacities• Developing a dedicated exchange network• Dissemination of information• Prepare the future …

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Targets

• 18 ACP countries producing sugar and members of the Sugar Protocol

• 36 ACP countries producing sugar• x ACP sugar factories• y ACP R&D labs• Thousands of sugarcane growers

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Situation

• 13 projects in 3 main avenues: – Promotion of new cane varieties– Reduction of sugar cane cost of production and

limitation of negative impacts on the environment– Reduction of sugar losses from processing and

adding value to sugar cane by-products• 5 main labs :

– MSIRI ; SIA/SIRI ; TSSA ; SRIF ; SAC/WICSCBS• A wide collaborative network

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Organisation

Partners & Centres localisation

MSIRIMauritius

SSASwaziland

WICSCBSBarbados

SIRIJamaïca

BSESAustralia

SRIFFiji

SACTrinidad & Tobago

ACP countries

Members

Partners

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Scientific & technical networks

MSIRI

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Scientific & technical networks

SIRI

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Scientific & technical networks

SRIF

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Scientific & technical networks

WICSCBS

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THE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN

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Promotion of new cane varieties• Project : Improving the capacity of sugar cane breeding in the Caribbean by investing in state-of-

the-art laboratory equipment.– Objectives : The development of new cane varieties with improved performances is accelerated and the number of samples processed

in each participating country is increased.

• Project : Increasing sugar cane productivity through the development of “high sucrose and early ripening” genotypes.

– Objectives : Improving research in developing high sucrose (sugar) content and early ripening varieties. Consequently improving in the future the tons of sugar produced per hectare and per year in ACP countries.

• Project : Establish an international quarantine facility, to exchange sugarcane germ-plasma among ACP countries.

– Objectives : Quarantine facility established and all sugar cane varieties exchanged between ACP countries are disease (or pest) free.

• Project : A comparative study of family and individual mass selection methods as early selection criteria

– Objective 1 Assess the efficiency of the methodology of the two early selection systems that is family selection and individual mass selection where mechanical harvesting and weighing techniques are not available. Data generated on families will serve to develop a database.

– Objective 2 : Evaluating the breeding values of parental clones that produced the families. A database of high breeding values parents’ clones families will be developed.

– Objective 3 : Objective 3 aims at creating and developing an array of new clones with high sucrose and cane characteristics, for use in breeding and selection programmes and further evaluation for commercial suitability

• Project : Nobilisation of Erianthus Species– Objective 1 : Undertake a collaborative germplasm collection programme. All the data for germplasm characterization and DNA results

would be stored in a database for use by other ACP Institutions.– Objective 2 : Select S.officinarum clones and make crosses with s E.arundinaceous, E.bengalense NZ and E.procerus to develop an array

of genotype with bloodline from genus Erianthus.

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Reduction of sugar cane cost of production and limitation of negative impacts on the environment

• Project : Develop use of bio-pesticides, to control sugarcane white grubs– Objectives : To control and reduce the incidence of sugar cane white grubs with cheaper

and more environmentally friendly pesticides.• Project : Determine optimal amount of phosphorus use in sugarcane, to reduce

production costs and protect fresh water resources in ACP countries• Objectives : The application of phosphorus in cane sugar production is optimised without affecting

yields and drawbacks are reduced.

• Project : Increase sugar cane yields on outgrower smallholdings in Swaziland, by improving irrigation scheduling

– Objectives : The efficiency of smallholders’ water use is improved giving a better sugar yield per hectare and enhancing the profitability of smallholder sugar cane growers.

• Project : Develop an information system for irrigation management, to make optimal use of water in sugar cane production

– Objectives : An Irrigation Management Information System is developed, tested and disseminated. In all the ACP countries willing to use it, the efficiency and timing of water application will be improved giving a better sugar yield per hectare and enhancing the profitability of the sugar industry.

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Reduction of sugar losses from processing and promotion of value addition for cane by-products

• Project : Develop an alternative method to determine dextran in intermediate sugar process produce, to improve quality and earnings.

– Objectives : A new method for dextran analysis that can be used on a routine basis is implemented. Accordingly, the quality of raw sugar produced is increased and the factory production costs decreased.

• Project : Assist ACP sugar producer countries in making efficient use of energy resources in sugarcane processing, by providing consulting and training services.

– Objectives : Demonstrating the commercial, technical, economic and environmental benefits of modern and efficient co- generation systems and promoting more favourable policies and institutional arrangements.

• Project : Develop incineration technology, to dispose of vinasse• Objectives : Saving on fertiliser costs (80% of potash returned back to fields, etc.).

– Solving the environmental and cost problems of vinasses treatment and finding an easy, environmentally friendly way for the disposal of vinasses.

• Project : Develop cost effective technology, to produce bio plastics from biomass.– Objectives : Establishment of the base of a future bio-plastic production facility that could

be operational within 10 years. Identification and costing of various bio-plastic productions.

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Overview of the Projects calendars

ID Project Start End Duration2012 201520142013

Q2Q2 Q3 Q4 Q2Q3 Q4 Q2Q1Q3Q1 Q1Q4Q1 Q3

6 156.4s09/12/201310/12/20101.1 Lab equipment regional breeding programme

12 230.2s09/01/201513/08/20101.2 Early ripenning, high-yieldng genotypes

208.6s12/08/201413/08/20101.3 International quarantine facility

156.4s09/12/201310/12/20101.4 Family selection

198.2s26/09/201410/12/20101.5 Nobilisation of Erianthus

13 230.2s09/01/201513/08/20102.1 Bio-pesticides white grubs

156.4s12/08/201313/08/20102.2 Optimisation of P frtiliser application

157s15/11/201315/11/20102.3 Smallholder water use efficiency Swaziland

208.6s12/08/201413/08/20102.4 Irrigation management system

196.8s17/09/201410/12/20103.1 Dextran measurement

156.4s12/08/201313/08/20103.2 Energy efficiency audit

123.6s25/12/201213/08/20103.3 Vinasse incineration

230.2s09/01/201513/08/20103.4 Bio-plastics

1 273.8s31/12/201402/10/2009Sugar Research Programme (SRP)

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1s05/10/201201/10/20124.3.1 Thematic workshops Mid term15

2.2s17/11/201403/11/20144.3.2 Thematic workshops Final16

2010 2011

Q1Q2 Q4Q4 Q3

2

7

8

9

10

11

3

5

4

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Overview of the project’s budgets

Projects in « Promotion of new cane varieties”

Overall budget

Granted

Improving the capacity of sugar cane breeding in the Caribbean

€ 976,857 € 952,017

Increasing sugar cane productivity through the development of “high sucrose and early ripening” genotypes

€ 2,194,127 € 935,650

Establish an international quarantine facility € 1,541,163 € 918,510

A comparative study of family and individual mass selection methods as early selection criteria

(€ 1,265,451)€ 458,410

(€ 799,765)

Nobilisation of Erianthus Species € 807,041

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Overview of the project’s budgets

Projects in « Reduction of sugar cane cost of production and limitation of negative impacts on the environment”

Overall budget

Granted

Develop use of bio-pesticides, to control sugarcane white grub

€ 1,890,491 € 1,105,200

Determine optimal amount of phosphorus use in sugarcane, to reduce production costs and protect fresh water resources in ACP countries

€ 799,432 € 534,360

Increase sugarcane yields on out grower smallholdings in Swaziland, by improving irrigation scheduling

€ 221,304 € 219,270

Develop an information system for irrigation management, to make optimal use of water in sugarcane production

€ 455,326 € 334,275

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Overview of the project’s budgets

Projects in « Reduction of sugar losses from processing and promotion of value addition for cane by-products”

Overall cost Granted

Develop an alternative method to determine dextran in intermediate sugar process produce, to improve quality and earnings

€ 1,216,589 € 1,183,324

Assist ACP sugar producer countries in making efficient use of energy resources in sugarcane processing, by providing consulting and training services

€ 849,959 € 706,528

Develop incineration technology, to dispose of vinasse

€ 470,084 € 379,330

Develop cost effective technology, to produce bio plastics from sugarcane biomass

€ 1,312,675 € 934,500

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Expected results• Varieties adapted to an ecological situation, specific production,

to a date of crop maturity.• Model for fertilisation adapted to the expected levels of

production; used varieties; ecological situations• Improved models for water management in irrigation• Improved models for information dissemination to farmers.• High-level Analytical capacities for determination of molecular

compounds in sugar cane biomass• Definition of quality criteria for controlling the harvest and post

harvest operations.• Training capacities and researchers exchanges• Scientific and technical publications

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THE COORDINATING UNIT

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Activities of the CU

• 1- Lead and administration of the research programme

• 2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions• 3 – Networking• 4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern

ICT system• 5- Projects administration and financial

management• 6 - Competitive fund

CU

Activities of the CU

• 1- Lead and administration of the Research Programme

• 2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions• 3 – Networking• 4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT

system• 5- Projects administration and financial management• 6 - Competitive fund

CU

1- Lead and administration of the Programme

• Liaise as often as possible, – with the Research Centres– with the Scientific Advisory Group

• Collect information – on researches undertaken in sugar cane sector– On capacity building offers…

• Prepare and present files to the ACP Secretariat for approval– Financial requests– Amendment requests

• Manage the missions of the short term experts• Report to the ACP Secretariat and DEVCO

– As often as possible through direct contacts– Once a month (awareness on urgent matters)– Every 6 months with a progress report

• Report to the ACP Subcommittee on Sugar• Organise the annual Steering Committee meetings• Ensure the scientific quality of the projects

CU

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1- Lead and administration of the Programme

Amounts (€)

Communication (website, news letter…) 55,000

Thematic workshop (mid term and final) 350,000

Stimulating scientific exchanges among sugar reaserchers in ACP countries

460,000

Intellectual property rights 50,000

Controlling Scientific quality 57,000

Assistance, support, specific studies 950 man/days

• Budget lines

Administration Tools

• MS Project

Activities of the CU

• 1- Lead and administration of the research programme

• 2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions• 3 – Networking• 4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT

system• 5- Projects administration and financial management• 6 - Competitive fund

CU

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2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions

• Support the attendance of scientists in dedicated workshops and congresses.

• Organisation of Scientists exchanges among centres• Organisation of study tours• Specific studies• Publication of results• Organisation of specific Workshops or missions

– IPR ; SIG…

Operations undertaken

• Specific studies– Needs in terms of Capacity building – Improvement of the website of the programme. – Adaptation toward Com4Dev– IPR issues, phase 1 – Communication issues Phase 1

Operations undertaken

• Support attendances at International workshops– 8th ISSCT entomology Workshop in Réduit, March 2011– 10th germplasm & breeding and 7th molecular biology

workshop, Maceio, May 2011– 4th IAPSIT International conference & sugar expo, New-Delhi,

November 2011– Pathology workshop in Nanning, May 2012– Entomology congress in Daegu, July 2012– SASTA congress in Mont Edgecombe, August 2012– Agronomy workshop in Townsville, September 2012

• Other missions– GIS in Reunion Island (MSIRI)

Operations undertaken

• Workshops held by the centres– A training workshop was held in Barbados at the

WICSCBS in October 2011. – Drip irrigation in Mauritius, May 2011 / Netafim

Activities of the CU

• 1- Lead and administration of the research programme

• 2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions• 3 – Networking• 4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT

system• 5- Projects administration and financial management• 6 - Competitive fund

CU

3 - Networking

• Social networks (Com4Dev)• Capacity4Dev (EU)• Programme’s website• International conferences (ie. ACP Sugar

Group; ISO)• SRP network (ISSCT / IAPSIT/ Cirad / Sofreco /

eRcane / Harrewelle )

Activities of the CU

• 1- Lead and administration of the research programme

• 2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions• 3 – Networking• 4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT

system• 5- Projects administration and financial management• 6 - Competitive fund

CU

4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT system

• The Website (www.acp-srp.eu) – The show case for the programme / projects /

events / Activities…– A Content Management System (cms)– Cooperative project management tool (“Open

Atrium” / “Storm”)– Compatible with the ACP website structure

4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT system

• The newsletter

Activities of the CU

• 1- Lead and administration of the research programme

• 2 - Delivery of capacity building solutions• 3 – Networking• 4 - Dissemination through the use of a modern ICT

system• 5- Projects administration and financial management• 6 - Competitive fund

CU

5- Projects administration and financial management

• Situation of the contractsCentre N° contract Documents Funding request

Funds(1st instalment)

began

Signed returned Signed returned Requested transfered

MSIRI 2010/242-079 August 2010

SSA 2010/238-752 November 2010

SRIF 2010/256-336 December 2010

SAC-WICSCBS 2010/247-871 December 2010

SIA-SIRI 2010/247-866 December 2010

Centre N° contract DocumentsFunding request

Funds(2cd installment)

End

Progress report

Financial Sent amount Requested transfered

MSIRI 2010/242-079 1.600.000 December 2014

SSA 2010/238-752 57.533 November 2013

SRIF 2010/256-336 296.551 December 2014

SAC-WICSCBS 2010/247-871 116.567 December 2013

SIA-SIRI 2010/247-866 430.372 August 2014

5- Projects administration and financial management

• Situation of the contracts

Centre N° contractRule of origin(spectracane)

Rule of origin(germination

chamber)Signed returned Signed returned Requested transfered

MSIRI 2010/242-079

SSA 2010/238-752

SRIF 2010/256-336 SAC-WICSCBS 2010/247-871

SIA-SIRI 2010/247-866

Centre N° contract Call for supply

Signed returned Signed returned Requested transfered

MSIRI 2010/242-079 SSA 2010/238-752

SRIF 2010/256-336 SAC-WICSCBS 2010/247-871 SIA-SIRI 2010/247-866

5- Projects administration and financial management

Support the WICSCBS Spectracane Call for supplyRule of originContract amendmentProgress reports

Support the SRIF Spectracane Call for supplyRule of originWorkshop attendanceProgress reports

Support the SIRI Contract Amendment Call for supplyProgress reports

Support the MSIRI Scientific equipment Call for supplyWorkshop attendanceProgress reports

Support the TSSA Progress reports

Intervention MSIRI 3 days 14/03/2011 17/03/2011 Overall situation

Intervention SSA 2 days 18/03/2011 20/03/2011 Overall situation

Intervention SIRI 3 days 15/01/2012 18/01/2012 Overall situation

Intervention WICSCBS 3 days 18/01/2012 21/01/2012 Overall situation

Intervention SRIF 3 days 7/02/2012 10/02/2012 Overall situation

• Support to the Administrative managers (EDF Procedures)

Administration Tools

Administration Tools

• « Storm » on the ACP-SRP website

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Activities for the next period (2012 – 2014)

CU

Forthcoming operations (2012)

• Courses– Molecular identification of plant diseases (France

Nov 2012)• Workshops & Seminars

– Soil identification (Fiji October 2012)• Scientific exchanges

– Mission at BIOFORSK (Norway October 2012)• Communication

Future & Forecasted operations• Courses

– Sugar cane agronomy course (RTC Mauritius…)– Weed / pests control (RTC Mauritius…)– Establishment of seed cane nursery (eRCANE, Reunion island…) – Germplasm classification (CIRAD, France…)– Cane sugar manufacture course (RTC Mauritius…)– Plant breeding and tissue culture (BSES Australia…)– Nematology course (Wageningen, Nederland…)– “APSIM” Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (Australia / UWI)– Biostatistics (CIRAD France, BSES Australia…)

• Workshops & Seminars– ISSCT 28th congress in Brazil, June 2013–

Future & Forecasted operations

• Study tours– Study tour ‘Plant breeding’

• Mauritius & Reunion Island

– Study tour ‘Sugar cane biomass & Animal feed’• Guadeloupe French west indies

• Specific studies– IPR issues– Basis for a possible ACP – SRP ‘II’

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Where to find information ?www.acp-srp.eu

• Info, news , call for proposals• Time lines• Events• Projects description• Scientific Articles; reference texts• Useful links• Access to the other networks

– www.com4Dev.com– www.capacity4dev.eu

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Where to find information ?www.com4dev.com

• Com4Dev• Website

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Contacts

• The Coordinating Unit– Coord.unit@acp-srp.eu

• The Chair of the ACP Group on Sugar• The Chair of the Scientific Advisory Group• The Secretariat of the ACP group of States• The programme website:

– www.acp-srp.eu