The Sugar Research Institute of Fiji was constituted under an Act of Parliament in 2005, and officially founded on the First of October 2006. Under the Act, the Institute is financed equally by the Government of Fiji, the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Sugar Cane Growers Council.

WICSCBS is one of the two oldest (Java being the other one) sugar cane breeding institutions in the world, with a continuous breeding programme since the rediscovery of seedlings in Barbados in 1888.

Historical Background

The sugar cane plant was introduced into Mauritius by the Dutch settlers in 1639.

Sugar was manufactured for the first time in 1696. The sugar industry expanded in the 19th century and sugar production reached 150 000 tonnes in 1862 from 52 000 hectares of cane. 

The Sugar Industry Research Institute (SIRI) was established in 1973 under the auspices of the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) and replaced the Sugar Research Department (SRD)  set up in 1942 and which was formerly operated by the Sugar Manufacturers Association (SMA.)  the main function of SIRI then was to research and develop methods to improve agriculture technology as it relates to sugar cane production.  A separate Factory Technology Division was established in 1975 to assist factories in improving their efficiency and to carry out technical training.

The Swaziland Sugar Association (SSA) is an umbrella organisation bringing together all growers and millers of sugarcane. Its highest policy-making body is the Council, where growers and millers have equal representation. The day-to-day functions are run by the SSA office led by a Chief Executive Officer, with its head office located in Mbabane, Technical Services Department located at Simunye and Big Bend whilst there is also an SSA warehouse at Mlawula. The SSA office has a staff complement of 110. 

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