The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Wednesday said it is adopting global best practices for the local sugar sector as it marked its return to the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) Congress after 40 years.

The SRA participated in the ISSCT Congress held at Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico in Cali, Colombia, which gathered over 1,100 delegates from 60 countries from Aug. 22 to 31.

SRA Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Administrator for Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) Ma. Lourdes Almodiente said the event gave the Philippines a chance to benchmark with other sugar-producing nations.

“It reaffirmed that our local research efforts are aligned with global directions, but it also showed us areas where we can further strengthen our programs to better serve our farmers,” she said in a statement.

Discussions covered climate-resilient sugarcane varieties, precision agriculture, and innovative pest and disease management.

Advances in these global practices may be integrated into the country’s breeding, research, and pest management programs, according to the SRA.

SRA-Luzon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (LGAREC) Breeding Program Head Rachel Sarol cited molecular breeding as particularly valuable, noting its potential to deliver high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-adaptive varieties to farmers.

“These learnings will help us enhance our breeding program so we can deliver high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-adaptive varieties to Filipino farmers.” (PNA)