P L A N S / P R O G R A M S
Research and Development
- Quality Assurance – Conduct of research on methods of laboratory analysis for sugar, bioethanol, muscovado, sugarcane juice, molasses, and other co-products, shelf-life of sugar/muscovado, determination of sugar impurities, studies on sugar pre-mixes and standards for sugar and muscovado.
- Sugarcane Variety Improvement – Breeding of commercial HYVs in the SRA research center in La Granja.
- Development and propagation of HYVs and sugarcane varieties suitable for bioethanol production both in LGAREC and LAREC.
- Ratoon Management – Development of specific technology to enhance yield of ratoon crop.
- Improvement of Cultural Practices – Development of cultural practices / innovations that are cost effective.
- Utilization of Indigenous and Waste Materials as Fertilizer – Development of technologies that will enhance the value of waste materials such as millwastes, farm trashes, distillery sludge / slops, etc. and indigenous materials as supplement for fertilizer.
- Integrated Pest Management - Development of technologies / techniques that would minimize the use of chemicals in pest control.
- Sugarcane Nutrition – Establishment of critical levels of macro- and micro-nutrients and to develop techniques to improve nutrient uptake of the plant.
- Support Services – Establishment / maintenance of germplasm bank as a source of parental stock.
Extension and Production Support Services
- Production Support Services – Rapid propagation and distribution of new HYVs and disease-free planting materials through the use of micropropagation technique; promotion of mechanized farming and the use of soil sampling services / analysis for proper fertilization management, and application of bio-organic fertilizer for farm productivity enhancement in cooperation with the private sector.
- Technology Transfer – Conduct of Outreach Program for the Sugar Industry (OPSI) and Extension Work Area (EWA) trainings / seminars among extension workers, planters, overseers, workers; conduct of techno-demo; establishment of demo-farms and publication /dissemination of info materials to transfer technologies and research outputs.
- Advisory Services - Render technical assistance in all phases of sugarcane farming through field visits and planters referral at mill district level; participation in the DA Regional Management Committee meetings / consultations / planning conferences.
- Field Monitoring and Evaluation – Gathering and consolidation of data on farm production, technology and variety adoption / performance, fertilization level, sugar prices and other data/information which are vital for policy formulation, research and for the information of the different stakeholders of the sugar industry.
- Implementation of the National Biofuels Program – Identification and validation of areas suitable for sugarcane and bioethanol distilleries. Monitoring and evaluation of all water effluents from bioethanol distilleries used as liquid fertilizer.
- Implementation of Sugar-ACEF – Assist the Mill District Development Committees (MDDCs) in the proper implementation of Sugar-ACEF projects, monitor the physical status of equipment, and assess the sustainability and impact of funded projects.
Technical Services
- Milling and Refining Improvement - Conduct of technical assessment and provide technical assistance to sugar mills/refineries to further increase sugar recovery in sugar processing and refining with emphasis on equipment performance, energy utilization, extraction efficiency and waste minimization.
- Bioethanol Quality Control – Laboratory services to assure the quality of fuel grade bioethanol in conformity with the Philippine National Standards (PNS).
- Sugar Quality Control - Laboratory services for sugar analysis to assure quality of sugar produced for food safety and in compliance with the PNS.
- National Bioethanol Program - Render technical assistance to interested investors for bioethanol distilleries and to the National Biofuels Board (NBB) for the implementation of the Biofuels Act of 2006.
- Environment – Active participation in the Sugar Industry Environment Committee (SIEC) and the sugar mills on environmental management, monitoring and other related activities through SRA’s Special Action Group for the Environment (SAGE).
- - Extend environmental monitoring of water effluents and gas emissions of bioethanol distilleries.
Sugar Production Control & Regulation
- Regulation and Enforcement of Policies – Enforcement of policies, rules and regulations adopted by the Sugar Board to all operating mills and refineries, including sugar quedans, attestation of molasses certificate, shipping permits, stocks inventory, etc.
- Sugar Transaction – Simplification of procedures in issuance of licenses to sugar mills / refineries and sugar / molasses / muscovado traders; clearances to effect sugar withdrawals for exports and domestic market; clearances for molasses export/import; issuance of Certificate of Exchange Authority (CEA) for quedan swapping transactions, issuance of clearances for sugar importation through the Countertrade Sugar Swap Program (CSSP) or by the Food Exporters/Processors, printing and distribution of sugar quedans, etc..
- Sugar Monitoring – Maintenance of accurate and timely monitoring system on sugar (and co-products) production, withdrawals, stock balances, sugar exports / imports and prices.
- Security of Domestic sugar Supply – Issuance of licenses and permits to bioethanol distilleries and allocation of sugarcane for both sugar and bioethanol production.
General Administration and Other Support Services
- Formulate short-, medium- and long-term plans and programs of the agency.
- Review SRA’s system and operating procedures.
- Reinforce SRA’s database and management information system.
- Evaluate performance of existing programs.
- Initiate cost saving measures including implementation of the new SRA structure.
- Facilitate financial transactions and increase corporate income.
- Provide legal advice and assistance to the Sugar Board and the Administrator