CTC Aims for Synthetic Sugarcane Seeds and New Transgenic Varieties by 2026/27

Cesar Barros, CEO of the Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC), and Sabrina Chabregas, Director of Research and Development, announced during the CTC Grand Meeting event that synthetic sugarcane seeds could soon become a reality in Brazilian cane fields. According to Barros, the R$100 million seed factory project, announced almost a year ago, is on schedule and is expected to be inaugurated in April. Speaking to journalists at the CTC Grand Meeting event held in Ribeirão Preto (SP) on March 5th, Barros mentioned that over 20 experiments with the product had been conducted in the past year, comparing it to traditional planting methods. He affirmed, “Indeed, [the seeds] bring the benefits we expect.” He added, “Being lighter than the current process, this translates into a multitude of benefits for the client.” In this regard, Barros highlighted that sugar-energy companies will be able to reduce nursery areas and cultivate healthier plants, among other advantages. He exemplified, “It’s important to plant at the right time. A lighter planting process makes it possible to always plant at the best moment, within the ideal window.” Barros also revealed that, although the factory has not yet been inaugurated, CTC is already producing the first batches of seeds at the site, with the prospect of mechanically planting 20 hectares. The goal for the coming months is to expand the scale. He emphasized, “This is a very important step…”