Brazilian technology eyed for Phl sugar production

MANILA, Philippines - The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) intends to tap the technical expertise of Brazil, a top sugar-producing nation, on the use of advanced technologies for sugar production.

SRA administrator Ma. Regina Martin, who recently visited Brazil, said the Brazilian government is willing to enter into a technical cooperation with the Philippines on the use of advanced technologies for sugarcane cultivation.

The South American nation would also give the Philippines access to high-yielding and climate-resilient sugarcane varieties.

One of the varieties developed by the Sao Paulo Institute of Reasearch is the giant sugarcane measuring around six to eight meters tall with high fiber content for power generation.

 “Brazil, through EMBRAPA (Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research) is willing to train our researchers and the University of Sao Carlos in Sao Paulo will allow us access to its sugarcane varieties through technical cooperation,” said Martin yesterday.

A memorandum of understanding for the technical exchange is now being crafted.

Martin was part of the Philippine delegation to the 3rd Philippine-Brazil Bilateral Consultation Meeting held recently in Basilia, Brazil.

During the consultation meeting, the two countries discussed possible areas of technical cooperation including exchanges of technology on fermentation and yeast isolation, methodology and equipment design for field trash recovery system, access to equipment design for mill power generation, impact assessment models on bioenergy and biofuels, and varietal cooperation on good ratooning.

 “They were very open with their information on tax incentives on flex fuel vehicles, bioethanol production and importation, pricing system for sugarcane

During the consultation meeting, the Philippine delegation was granted access to various sugar research centers in Brazil such as the Embrapa, RIDESA-Universidade Federal De Sao Carlos, and Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (CTC). They were also able to meet with representatives from the association of ethanol producers (APLA) and the association of sugar producers (UNICA).

 “SRA will continue with its global search for best technologies in sugarcane farming and product development to improve the global competitiveness of the country’s sugarcane industry,” said Martin.