Fiji sugar production rises amid climate resilience strategies

Fiji’s sugar industry is seeing improved operational performance and a strategic push toward climate resilience. Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Minister Tomasi Tunabuna reported to Parliament that Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) mills have recorded better performance compared to the previous season. This growth is attributed to increased mill reliability, reduced unplanned downtime, improved sugar recovery, and higher cane quality.

To maintain this momentum, the FSC is working with growers to improve cane quality and ensure a consistent supply, specifically discouraging the burning of cane to protect crop integrity.

Separately, Dr. Shalendra Prasad, the newly appointed CEO of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF), highlighted sugarcane’s potential as a resilient crop capable of withstanding drought, flooding, and poor soil conditions. Prasad is advocating for an industry-wide strategic plan focused on increasing yields through better soil health, lowering costs via mechanization, and strengthening farm incomes through diversification. He suggested that farmers allocate 20 to 30 percent of their land to alternative crops or livestock to mitigate risks posed by El Niño and changing weather patterns.