Sea level rise is significantly impacting sugarcane farming in Wailevu, Macuata, leading to devastating saltwater intrusion that threatens local livelihoods and forces families off land that has nurtured them for generations. Farmers like Mahen Lal from Wailevu Tiri, a low-lying community located nearly two meters below sea level, are facing increasing challenges as seawater frequently inundates their cane fields during high tide, which in turn severely diminishes soil fertility and crop yields.
Lal, who has witnessed the detrimental effects of seawater on sugarcane over decades, emphasized the lack of permanent interventions to address the ongoing issue, despite continuous losses in production and income. “Seawater comes inside and our sugarcane dries up and is finished. We keep complaining, but there is no proper solution,” he lamented, noting that many families have been compelled to abandon farming as their land becomes increasingly unmanageable.
In light of the escalating crisis, farmers in Wailevu are urging for immediate upgrades to floodgate infrastructure and the dredging of natural waterways. They stress that without prompt and effective measures, the future of Wailevu’s sugarcane industry is at serious risk of disappearing.
The plight of these farmers highlights the urgent need for action to combat the impacts of climate change on agriculture. By investing in infrastructure improvements and sustainable practices, there is hope that this vital industry can adapt and continue to support the community in the future.
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