From Sugar to Renewable Biomass – The Re-Engineering of Mauritius' Sugar Industry

Source Omnicane Website

This lecture was delivered by Jean Claude Autrey, General Secretary of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, delves into how Mauritius is redefining its sugar sector, shifting from traditional sugar production to a renewable biomass industry that embraces sustainability and cutting-edge technology. 

 

 Key Points and Takeaways from the Presentation on Sugarcane Production in Mauritius

• Sugarcane originated in New Guinea and spread through Asia, the Mediterranean, and then to the Americas and Africa. The two main types are Saccharum officinarum (noble cane with high sugar content) and Saccharum spontaneum (wild cane, known for its vigor and adaptability). Crossbreeding between these two types led to hybrid varieties, with the "POJ 2878" cane from Java being particularly influential on most cultivated varieties today.
• The Dutch brought sugarcane from Java in 1639, initially for producing arrack but large-scale cultivation began under French rule (1715–1810) and expanded by the British (1810–1968).
• In 1921, Dutch researchers in Java created a new type of sugarcane by combining two species: one with high sugar content (Saccharum officinarum ) and another with strong disease resistance (Saccharum spontaneum ). The hybrid POJ 2878, increased sugarcane yields by 30–50% worldwide. In Mauritius, it raised production from 3.6 tons per hectare to 6.6 tons per hectare in the 1920s. Developed from early research in 1886, POJ 2878 changed how sugarcane was grown globally. A wonder ans Gane Changer Cane.
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• Sugar cane is a high-yield crop due to its large biomass, often producing over 40 tons per hectare.
• Sugar cane is grown in 115 countries, covering 27 million hectares, and accounts for 79.1% of global sugar production.
• Globally, sugar production in 2023/24 totalled 187 million tonnes, with sugarcane contributing 148 million tonnes (79.1%) and sugar beet accounting for 39 million tonnes. Brazil dominates the industry, producing 45 million tonnes annually on 10 million hectares, with 50% of its sugarcane area dedicated to bioethanol production. In contrast, Mauritius ranks 21st globally for sugarcane production, contributing only 238,854 tonnes in 2023 from 35863 ha, highlighting the country's relatively small scale and limited market share compared to leading producers.
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MSIRI en ligne - Information on Sugarcane and Food Crops

Mrs Rosemary Ng Kee Kong, Librarian of the MSIRI has informed the MAISNET members of this website. It contains a wealth of valuable information on agriculture especially sugar cane and other food crops.

"Le MSIRI en ligne est un site développé par la Bibliothèque du MSIRI, avec l’aide du CNF, Réduit, en vue d’offrir une plate-forme sur laquelle les chercheurs du MSIRI pourront publier des résultats de leur recherche et des informations destinées aux autres chercheurs, aux planteurs et autres utilisateurs.

Ce site s’adresse à ceux qui, à Maurice ou ailleurs, s’intéressent à la recherche sur la canne et les cultures associées, ainsi qu’aux autres travaux de l’Institut de recherches. Vous y trouverez des documents, rapports, fiches techniques, et des bibliographies sur tous les aspects de la canne à sucre, et des nouvelles cultures identifiées et promues par le MSIRI, c’est-à-dire, le pitaya, le pejibaye".

Reproduced from the MSIRI website.