Simultaneously with the completion of infrastructure activities and the commencement of agricultural operations at the Sugarcane and By-Products Development Company, there was a strong need for the establishment of a research center to utilize modern knowledge and technologies in the fields of agriculture, industry, and environmental conservation for optimal land use under sugarcane cultivation and production enhancement.
Sugarcane and By-products Development’s Research and Training Institute, with the help of its capable researchers in the fields of agriculture, industry, and the environment, provides a variety of research and educational services to the great corporation of Sugarcane and By-products Development Company. It implements forward-thinking projects and diverse strategies to meet the current needs of the company and solve its practical problems.
Some of the most important achievements of this institute include improving sugarcane crop varieties, biological pest control, and new biotechnology methods for the healthy and pure cultivation of sugarcane. Innovative irrigation and drainage methods, soil analysis and plant nutrition, designing and manufacturing various industrial and agricultural tools and machinery needed for the Agro-Industries, and integrated pest, disease, and weed management of sugarcane are among the other significant accomplishments of this institute.
To this end, in 1995, the establishment of the Sugarcane Research Institute was considered and approved by the Sugarcane and By-products Development Company. Initially, research activities were concentrated in the Research Institute located in the Shoaybiyeh Agro-industry lands (later renamed as Imam Khomeini). During this time, the center’s main studies focused mainly on evaluating experiences and research of older Agro-industries (such as Haft Tappeh and Karun Agro-industries), selecting suitable varieties, adapting to mechanized sugarcane cultivation methods, assessing water and fertilizer needs, and more.
Subsequently, with the start of the activities in southern Agro-industries, in 1997, the company established the Sugarcane Research and Training Institute with a focus on three research sectors: breeding, agronomy, and plant protection at its current location on 36 kilometers of the old Ahvaz-Khorramshahr Rd., next to the main pumping station of the Amir Kabir Agro-industry.
The institute’s research activities during this period were primarily focused on agricultural research until the industrial research department began operating as a part of the Food Industries Laboratory in August 2004. With the expansion of research activities in the Agro-industries and the definition of new educational missions, this institute underwent significant changes in its name and structure on November 29, 2008, and was registered as “Khuzestan Sugarcane and By-Products Development Research and Training Institute” under number 572 at the Ahvaz Companies Registration Office. Since then, while continuously developing its facilities, infrastructure, and human resources, it has provided valuable services in the areas of research, education, auditing, and performance monitoring for the Sugarcane and By-Products Development Company and its affiliated units.
Currently, based on the latest approved changes by the General Assembly of the institution, the organizational structure of the institution as of the date of this report consists of the Board of Trustees; the Board of Directors; the CEO; Agricultural Research Department; Industrial Research Department; Performance Monitoring and Audit Division; Education Division; Environmental Research Management; Business Administration; the Financial Management; Security Management; and the Human Resources Administration.