On The Land
30 March, 2025
Bringing back the cane to classrooms
CANEGROWERS has launched a new suite of curriculum-aligned educational resources designed to inspire and educate the next generation about the sugarcane industry.
Developed with input from industry experts and educators, the One Plant, Many Products resources offer primary and secondary teachers lesson plans, worksheets and resources to provide engaging insights into this vital agricultural sector, Canegrowers chief executive officer Dan Galligan said.
“These materials aim to bring the sugarcane story to life, highlighting its 150-year legacy, as well as its importance as Queensland’s second-largest agricultural export industry, and the industry’s evolving role in shaping Australia’s green energy future,” he said.
The resources showcase sugarcane’s journey from humble beginnings to its current position as a leader in sustainability and innovation, including its use as a feedstock for renewable energy, bioplastics, and sustainable fuels such as aviation biofuel and biodiesel.
Mr Galligan said while the industry had deep historical significance, demonstrated by sugarcane’s prominent place on the Queensland Coat of Arms, it remains future-focused.
Beyond producing sugar for domestic and export markets, sugarcane offered solutions to the challenge of decarbonising our economy by generating green electricity and reducing reliance on traditional plastics and high-emission fuels.
The industry also presented a wide range of career opportunities, including research and development, agronomy, logistics, mill operations, chemistry, marketing, commodity trading and advocacy.
Mr Galligan said as the sector continued to innovate, even more roles would emerge, offering exciting possibilities for future generations.
Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, the One Plant, Many Products materials were developed in collaboration with the Primary Industry Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA).
They are designed to be practical and easy to integrate into lessons across
various subjects.
Mr Galligan emphasised the importance of reconnecting students with the sugarcane industry and teaching them about the opportunities going forward.
“Sugarcane is a proud part of Queensland’s heritage, but its potential for innovation makes it truly exciting. By offering these resources, we hope to inspire students and show them the role they can play in this remarkable industry,” he said.
“The future of sugarcane is bright, and we want every Queenslander to understand its importance in our past, present, and future.”
The One Plant, Many Products resources are now available to schools across Australia.
