The Sugarcane industry is facing a significant decline in yield and production, with climate-related factors being identified as the primary factors.

A combination of flooding, salt-water intrusion, soil erosion, and drought has led to a staggering 20 to 30 percent loss in cane production over the years.

This was highlighted by the Director of Planning, Policy, and Research, for the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Reshmi Kumari, while speaking at the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on “Sustainability”, in Pune, India.

The conference, attended by over 2,500 participants from 28 countries, provided a platform for Kumari to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by Fiji and other nations in the sugar industry.

She further emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing common issues such as climate change, labor shortages, and high production costs.

Kumari underscored Fiji’s need for advanced research and technology adoption to bolster
our sugar industry.

She further expressed optimism about leveraging shared technologies from other nations, emphasizing the potential for maximizing profits by increasing yield and reducing per-unit costs.

The conference featured a diverse exhibition with 250 stalls, where businesses, scientists, service providers, and researchers displayed cutting-edge technologies spanning from farm to sugar factory.