Boosting Productivity and Climate Resilience In a strategic move to enhance sugarcane production and mitigate climate change effects, the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is rolling out high-sugar, climate-resilient sugarcane varieties tailored for Fiji’s unique growing conditions.
According to FSC News, these new varieties—Beqa and Galoa—offer both high sugar content and tolerance to saline conditions, marking a significant development for the industry. FSC Chief Executive Officer Bhan Pratap Singh emphasized that this initiative is crucial for ensuring sustainable growth in sugarcane farming.
For the first time, FSC has successfully multiplied Beqa seed material in its estates and selected farmer fields. This breeder seed, sourced from the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF), represents a breakthrough in rejuvenating high-performance sugarcane varieties. Reintroducing High-Sugar Varieties Recognizing Beqa’s early maturation and high sugar yield, FSC partnered with SRIF in 2022 to revive and expand the availability of these high-value sugarcane varieties.
By 2024, FSC successfully multiplied breeder seed across its Rarawai and Nadi estates, ensuring a wider distribution to farmers. “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. Among the 19 approved sugarcane varieties in Fiji, Beqa has emerged as the highest sugar-yielding option. According to SRIF data, it can produce up to 110 tonnes per hectare and boasts a 5% higher sugar content (brix) compared to the widely used Mana variety.
A Game-Changer for Farmers The reintroduction of Beqa is expected to revolutionize sugarcane farming in Fiji. FSC aims to multiply and distribute the seed material during the April–July 2024 planting season, ensuring greater accessibility for farmers. To drive widespread adoption, FSC has launched a two-tier seed nursery program and will implement a seed agreement among producers to maintain effective multiplication. Initially, farmers will receive seed material at no cost, with future plans to expand availability across all farming sectors. This approach will enable farmers to share and transport seed material independently, fostering self-sufficiency in the industry.
Climate-Resilient Sugarcane for Coastal Regions In addition to boosting productivity, FSC is addressing climate change challenges by promoting saline-tolerant sugarcane varieties, such as Galoa. Over the past two years, FSC has worked to multiply Galoa seed material across all three of its mills with breeder seed support from SRIF. With the growing threat of seawater intrusion and increasing soil salinity, FSC has identified Galoa as a key variety for sugarcane farming in coastal and flood-prone regions. By introducing Galoa, FSC is ensuring that farmers in vulnerable areas have access to resilient crops that can withstand environmental pressures.
A Sustainable Future for Fiji’s Sugar Industry FSC and SRIF remain committed to monitoring and evaluating the performance of Beqa and Galoa to maximize their benefits for farmers. By combining scientific research with strategic farming initiatives, FSC is paving the way for a more productive, resilient, and sustainable sugar industry in Fiji. With ongoing efforts to distribute and multiply these high-yield, climate-adaptive sugarcane varieties, Fiji’s sugarcane farmers stand to benefit from increased productivity, better climate resistance, and long-term industry stability. #FijiSugar #SugarcaneFarming #ClimateResilientCrops #SustainableAgriculture #HighYieldCrops #FSC #BeqaSugarcane #GaloaVariety #AgricultureInnovation #ClimateChangeAdaptation
