In 2000, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded a three-year project to assist in the conservation of Saccharum officinarum germplasm in the centre of origin (Papua New Guinea). The project incorporates specific surveys of PNG, northern Australia, Indonesia and Torres Strait/Cape York plus research on key pests and diseases in the region. This paper reports on the results obtained from three of these surveys, research into resistance to Sesamia grisescens and sugarcane smut, and the extension strategies employed to help prevent the spread of pests and diseases
between Indonesia, PNG and Australia.