Revamping Fiji’s Sugar Industry: A Roadmap to Sustainability

Two consultants from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mr. Poonyth Daneswar and Mr. Jolly Lindsay, have put forth several recommendations aimed at revitalizing Fiji’s struggling sugar industry. Their comprehensive study highlights persistent issues like inefficient management across the supply chain, soaring production costs, and the impact of unresolved land leases on investment and long-term planning.

The consultants note that Fiji’s dependence on raw sugar exports exposes the industry to vulnerabilities due to fluctuating global prices. They also emphasized the untapped potential in areas such as ethanol production and biomass cogeneration. Moreover, they pointed out that increasing extreme weather events necessitate a shift towards climate-resilient agricultural practices.

To address these challenges, Daneswar and Lindsay suggest the following course of action:

1. Establish a unified governance model to improve coordination and foster innovation among various entities.
2. Set a target to increase cane yields to 60–65 tons per hectare, while enhancing cane quality to achieve a TCTS ratio of 9.
3. Develop systems for ethanol production and biomass cogeneration, which would facilitate additional revenue streams and support Fiji’s goals for decarbonization.
4. Shift government financial support toward renewable energy initiatives, aiming to lessen reliance on current assistance programs.
5. Explore innovative land tenure models that ensure security and promote sustainable farming investments.
6. Introduce a payment system based on cane quality to motivate farmers to adopt best practices and focus on high-sucrose crops.

These recommendations present a hopeful vision for the future of Fiji’s sugar industry, emphasizing sustainable practices and innovative solutions that could significantly improve productivity, resilience, and profitability. By implementing these strategies, the industry not only stands to recover from its current challenges but may also emerge stronger and more sustainable in the long run.