The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is introducing new sugarcane varieties to help farmers improve production and withstand changing climate conditions. These varieties have higher sugar content and can grow in salty soil, making them suitable for different regions in Fiji, according to FBC News.
FSC’s Chief Executive Officer, Bhan Pratap Singh, said that for the first time, the company has successfully grown the Beqa variety in its estates and selected farms. This was made possible with breeder seeds provided by the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF).
FSC started working on this project in 2022, recognizing that early-maturing and high-sugar varieties like Beqa could benefit farmers. By 2024, the company had successfully grown the seeds at its Rarawai and Nadi estates.
“Our goal is to provide farmers with the best sugarcane varieties suited to Fiji’s conditions. The introduction of Beqa and Galoa is a major step towards improving production and tackling climate-related challenges. These varieties will not only increase yields but also ensure the long-term success of the sugar industry,” Singh said.
Beqa is one of 19 approved sugarcane varieties in Fiji and has the highest sugar content. According to SRIF, Beqa can produce 110 tonnes per hectare, which is 5% more sugar than the commonly grown Mana variety. FSC expects this variety to bring big improvements to sugar production and will begin widespread distribution of the seeds between April and July.
To ensure that more farmers can benefit, FSC has introduced a seed nursery program and will also set up a seed-sharing agreement among growers. Farmers will receive free seeds at first, and in the long run, FSC aims to spread these varieties to all farming areas so that growers can share and transport seeds among themselves.
FSC and SRIF will continue to monitor and assess the performance of Beqa to ensure positive results for farmers.
Alongside Beqa, FSC is also encouraging the use of Galoa, a sugarcane variety that can grow in areas affected by salty water and flooding. Over the last two years, FSC has successfully grown Galoa in all three sugar mills with support from SRIF. As seawater levels rise and soil becomes more salty, FSC sees Galoa as an important solution for farmers in coastal and flood-prone areas.
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