ISSCT Executive Committee Chairman's Report

摘要

With all the changes that have taken place and are anticipated in the immediate future in the sugar cane world, as well as in science and technology, it is evident that ISSCT is at the cross roads as some of these will impact upon it. During the past three years, in line with previous actions, various initiatives have been taken to modernise ISSCT, to make it stronger, leaner and fitter to face the changing times. It is felt that a second round of strategic initiatives is now due. This is the challenge that the new Executive Committee, Council and TPC will have to conceive and implement soon after the XXVth Congress. The ISSCT is a unique organisation. No other crop world wide has such an organisation and ISSCT is the apex one for sugar cane. It has the duty not only to consolidate its foundations but to cross new frontiers so as to make its membership attractive and meaningful and also to be a source of inspiration for other organisations. There is a promising future for sugar cane as high quality cane, energy cane, and fuel cane become available through innovation and, with biomass valorisation, sugar will become a co-product among many others. In addition, through bio-refining and genetic engineering, the range of products to be harvested or made out of this environmentally friendly plant and its co-products is only limited by our imagination.