The sugar industry in Fiji has fallen short of its expected cane production for the current crushing season, according to Vinesh Kumar, CEO of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji. This shortfall is attributed to various challenges faced by farmers, with climate change identified as a significant threat to their operations.
Kumar emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges, stating, “We know there were challenges they faced.” As the Labasa Mill prepares to close this Friday, marking the end of the 2024 crushing season, he noted that farmers have struggled with access to new plant varieties.
In response to these issues, the Sugar Research Institute is collaborating with farmers and other stakeholders to enhance preparations for the upcoming planting season. “We are now preparing for the small planting windows we have and are trying our best to ensure new plants are readily available to the farmers,” Kumar explained.
Raj Sharma, CEO of the Sugar Cane Growers Fund, pointed out that some farmers have not harvested their crops in a timely manner. He highlighted that the prolonged dry spells in the Western and Northern divisions and labor shortages have also contributed to delays in harvesting. Additionally, Sharma noted that the lack of resources continues to be a persistent challenge for farmers during crushing seasons.
The closure of the Ba and Lautoka mills last month further underscores the difficulties faced by the sector.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for improvement as stakeholders are actively seeking solutions to support farmers. With a concerted effort to enhance resources and tackle the effects of climate change, the future of the sugar industry in Fiji could see a turnaround.
Summary: The Fiji sugar sector has not met its cane production targets this season due to various challenges, particularly climate change and resource constraints. Stakeholders are collaborating to address these issues in preparation for the next planting season, highlighting a path forward for improvement in the industry.
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