The Ministry of Sugar in Fiji has announced a new list of approved cane varieties that sugarcane farmers are required to plant. The ministry previously cautioned that farmers who choose to cultivate unapproved varieties will not be eligible for government grants, and the Fiji Sugar Corporation will not accept these varieties for processing at its mills.
This updated list includes cane varieties specifically designed for various soil types found in Fiji, including rich, medium, poor, flat fertile, and sandy soils. According to the Ministry of Sugar, the approved list now reflects maturity trends, offering farmers the ability to select varieties based on their specific soil conditions.
Each grower is permitted to choose from at least three varieties for planting, as outlined in the Master Award. The varieties categorized as “early to mid-maturing” consist of Aiwa, Beqa, Naidiri, LF91-1925, and Qamea. Meanwhile, Ragnar, Kaba, Kiuva, and Viwa are classified under the “mid to late-maturing” category.