The Ministry of Sugar in Fiji has announced a list of approved sugarcane varieties that farmers are required to plant. The ministry previously cautioned that those who use unapproved varieties will not be eligible for government grants, and the Fiji Sugar Corporation will not process these varieties at their mills.
The new list is specifically designed for various soil types found across the country, including rich, medium, poor, flat fertile, and sandy soils. According to the Ministry of Sugar, the updated list includes considerations for maturity trends and is tailored to growers’ specific soil conditions.
Farmers will have the option to choose from at least three different varieties for their fields, as specified in the Master Award. Among the “early to mid maturing” varieties are Aiwa, Beqa, Naidiri, LF91-1925, and Qamea. Meanwhile, varieties categorized as “mid to late maturing” include Ragnar, Kaba, Kiuva, and Viwa.