Researchers in Vietnam and Australia will begin exchanging sugar cane varieties after an agreement was signed by relevant agencies, according to the Nhan Dan newspaper.
The deal also includes cooperation on research into sugarcane diseases and genens
Sugar Research Australia (SRA)’s Executive Manager of Development Peter Allsopp said the biggest benefit from the agreement is the chance to make a greater range of cane varieties available to Australian growers.
The 10-year Memorandum of Understanding between SRA and the Sugar Research Institute (SRI) of Vietnam is designed to bring the same benefits to Vietnam and its much smaller sugar industry.
Initially, researchers in each country have provided the other with a list of ten cane varieties to be exchanged.
The agencies will also coordinate research into sugarcane diseases and other ventures such as trait development, molecular biology and crop management.
SRI Vietnam Director General Nguyen Duc Quang said the agreement would benefit both countries’ sugar cane industries.