Technical Abstract: The advancements in sugarcane breeding and the improvement of sugarcane through biotechnology have been reviewed by a team of leading sugarcane specialists from around the world. Topics covered in the breeding section include the evolution and origin of sugarcane, early history of conventional sugarcane breeding, and specific breeding for the traits of sugar yield, biomass production, and stress tolerance. Topics covered in the biotechnology section include the physiology of sucrose accumulation, genetics and genomics, molecular cytogenetics, genetic engineering, and linking biotechnology to application. This chapter is the first review of sugarcane breeding and improvement since the standard reference book on sugarcane breeding was published in 1987. By concentrating on advancements made and the potential for application of molecular biology and genetics for the improvement of sugarcane, this chapter will likely serve as a road map for sugarcane breeding programs for the next few years.