The majority of soil within sugarcane-growing areas in the Western and Northern Divisions has poor fertility, is highly acidic and has low levels of organic matter, which is affecting the progress of the sugar industry.
Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna highlighted this in Parliament when questioned by Opposition MP Viam Pillay on the technical and financial advisory services currently being provided by the Research Division to help cane farmers improve soil health, crop yield and farm management.
Tunabuna says research plays a critical role in achieving higher crop productivity.
He says the relevant Ministry division and the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji conduct soil testing and provide appropriate recommendations to farmers, with the Institute mainly concentrating on sugarcane farmers.
Tunabuna says the Government of India has also donated two mobile soil-testing laboratories to the Ministry, which are currently conducting on-farm soil testing in the Western and Northern Divisions, primarily serving non-sugar farmers.
He says another two similar laboratories donated by the Government of India will be utilised by SRIF to provide soil-testing services to sugarcane farmers in the three mill areas.
The Minister says farmers can also submit soil samples directly to laboratories for analysis and receive technical advice based on the results.
Tunabuna says SRIF is also establishing demonstration plots and providing field-based advice to farmers on the best crop and farm management practices to improve productivity.
He says optimum yields depend on well-managed farms, and management should focus on achieving high tonnes of cane per hectare and high recoverable sugar per tonne while maintaining soil health and productivity.
When asked whether advisory services are only being provided on FSC farms or to selected farmers, Tunabuna says staffing issues within FSC and the Ministry have affected the number of officers serving farmers in the field.
He says this is being addressed through the recruitment and appointment of new extension officers.
