In an effort to boost sugarcane production and improve resilience against climate change, the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is introducing location-specific sugarcane varieties with high sugar content and tolerance to saline conditions, reports FSC News.
FSC Chief Executive Officer Bhan Pratap Singh announced that, for the first time, the corporation has successfully multiplied seed material of the Beqa variety in its estates and selected farmer fields. The breeder seed was sourced from the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF).
Recognizing the potential of high-sugar and early-maturing varieties like Beqa, FSC initiated efforts in 2022 to collaborate with SRIF on rejuvenating these valuable varieties. This effort has now resulted in the successful multiplication of breeder seed in 2024 across FSC’s estates in Rarawai and Nadi.
“Our goal is to ensure that farmers have access to the best varieties suited to Fiji’s unique conditions. The introduction of Beqa and Galoa represents a major step forward in improving productivity and tackling climate-related challenges. These varieties will not only increase yield but also support the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry,” Singh said.
Beqa, among Fiji’s 19 approved sugarcane varieties, stands out as the highest sugar-yielding variety. According to SRIF data, Beqa can produce up to 110 tonnes per hectare and has a sugar content (brix) 5% higher than the widely used Mana variety.
The reintroduction of Beqa is expected to be a game-changer for the sugar industry. FSC plans to further multiply and distribute the seed material during the next planting season from April to July.
To encourage widespread adoption, FSC has introduced a two-tier seed nursery program and will implement a seed agreement among producers to ensure effective multiplication. Initially, farmers will receive seed material at no cost, with a long-term plan to expand distribution across all farming sectors, enabling farmers to share and transport seed material independently.
SRIF and FSC will continue monitoring and evaluating the performance of the Beqa variety to ensure optimal results.
At the same time, FSC is tackling climate change challenges by promoting saline-tolerant sugarcane varieties such as Galoa. Over the past two years, FSC has multiplied Galoa seed material across all three mills with breeder seed support from SRIF. Given the rising issue of seawater intrusion and increasing soil salinity, FSC has identified Galoa as a key variety for sugarcane farming in coastal and flood-prone regions.
