The Director of Planning, Policy and Research at the Ministry of Sugar, Reshmi Kumari, has highlighted the critical importance of mechanisation in improving both the efficiency and profitability of Fiji’s sugarcane industry. Speaking at the 8th International Association of Professionals in Sugar and Integrated Technologies (IAPSIT) conference in Vietnam, Ms. Kumari noted that mechanisation has significantly reduced harvesting costs for farmers.
She pointed out that farmers using mechanical harvesting benefit from a set rate of $21.70 per tonne, in contrast to the $25 per tonne rate for those who depend on manual labor. Additionally, when accounting for other expenses such as accommodation, food, utilities, and transportation linked to manual harvesting, farmers can face costs that rise to $32 per tonne—32 percent higher than the expenses associated with mechanical methods.
Ms. Kumari also raised concerns regarding the troubling trend of declining productivity among cane cutters, which has dropped by nearly 50 percent over the past 15 years. The average output for a cane cutter fell from 233 tonnes per season in 2009 to just 118 tonnes in 2021. While factors like mill stoppages and workforce efficiency might be part of the problem, she emphasized that further investigation is necessary to fully understand the reasons behind this downturn.
Her presentation also addressed the mechanisation of cane cultivation, revealing that there are currently 142 Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) registered with the Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd. These providers are set to offer crucial services such as ploughing, harrowing, spraying, and tilling. Ms. Kumari mentioned that the Ministry of Sugar will monitor the effectiveness of this new TSP model in the coming years.
Moreover, the Ministry has actively backed the farm mechanisation strategy, investing around $3.5 million from 2017 to 2023 to acquire 52 mechanical harvesters, 20 tractors with implements, 12 planters, and 16 fertiliser applicators. She indicated that plans are in place to continue supporting these initiatives in the upcoming 2024-2025 budget while also exploring appropriate mechanical harvesting solutions for farmers who still rely on manual methods.