Fiji eyes 60% mechanical cane harvesting by next year
Fiji’s Sugar Ministry aims for 60% mechanical harvesting by next year, investing \$978,200 in farm mechanisation, including drones, sprayers, and planters. Over 100 harvesters currently cover 40% of cane fields. Trials of a hilly-terrain harvester and field restructuring are underway to boost productivity, ease farmer workload, and secure the industry’s future.
The Ministry of Sugar Industry is pushing ahead with plans to modernise farming, aiming to have 60 percent of the country’s sugarcane harvested mechanically by next year.
Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh says the government has invested $978,200 this financial year to promote farm mechanisation, which includes fertiliser applicators, boom sprayers, cane planters, and upcoming AI-supported technologies such as drones.
Currently, more than 100 harvesters are operating in Fiji, covering about 40 percent of cane harvesting. Singh says restructuring fields and adjusting planting patterns will further improve efficiency.
He adds that the trial of Fiji’s first hilly-terrain mechanical harvester, supplied by Japan’s Kumiki Co., Ltd., is part of this broader vision to ease the burden on farmers and increase productivity in the sector.
Singh also thanked industry stakeholders for their support, stressing that modernisation is key to reviving the sugar industry and securing its future.
To Read more about Sugar Industry continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : FBC News
