I am pleased to announce that the XXXI Congress of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) will be held from 20-23 February 2023 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India. This will be third time that India has hosted this prestigious Congress, following successful congresses in India in 1956 and 1999.
The decision to reschedule the Congress was taken during a 28 October 2021 virtual meeting of the ISSCT Executive, the ISSCT Technical Program Committee and the Congress Organizing Committee. The meeting carefully considered the current COVID situation in India and sugar-producing parts of the world, the requirements for vaccination, and travel restrictions in India and other ISSCT member countries.
The Congress will coincide with a significant transformation of the Indian sugar industry, with many positive changes occurring in the last 4-5 years. The average Indian sugar content has increased from 10.23% to 10.70% and sugarcane yield has increased from 64.7 t/ha to 71.1 t/ha, mainly through varietal improvement. India now produces a surplus of sugar, an average of 30 Mt of sugar per year against its domestic consumption of 26.5 Mt.
With the introduction of a new environment-friendly Bio-Fuel Policy, the Indian industry is transforming itself into a hub of ‘Green Energy’, with a focus on ethanol, power and compressed biogas. The Indian Government has set a target of 20% ethanol blending by 2025, requiring 10500 ML of ethanol. Currently, the industry produces 6000 ML, so there are many projects in the pipeline to meet the 2025 deadline. This will soak up the excess sugar from the domestic market and pave the way for a sustainable and profitable sugar industry for years to come.
India has much to share with the ISSCT community. A detailed Congress program will be circulated to ISSCT members at the end of March 2022, following finalisation at the midterm meeting. On behalf of the Congress Organizing Committee, I cordially invite you to block out the 20-23 February 2023 to attend the XXXI ISSCT Congress in India. You will receive a link for registration very soon.
With warm regards and looking forward to seeing you in Hyderabad,
With warm regards,
Yours truly,
SANJAY AWASTHI
VICE CHAIRMAN
CONGRESS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE