A survey has been launched into the sugar industry by the Fiji National University (FNU) and Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) aimed to rejuvenate the sugar industry in Fiji.
More than 600 farmers in Ba and Lautoka have already been interviewed so far with the remaining 300 interviews to be done in the Northern Division.
A primary objective of the survey is to determine the causes of the declining number of sugarcane growers that has led to a decrease in sugar production.
“Upon completion of the survey, SRIF and FNU will formalise the research priorities of their strategic partnership to ensure that they undertake applied research to address the key issues facing the sugar industry in Fiji,” said FNU vice-chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Roland De Marco.
“The survey results will also look at key research priorities for the industry.
“In recent years sugar cane production has been declining notably in spite of the high-yielding cane varieties we have,” said SRIF chief executive officer Prof Santiago Mahimairaja .
“There are a number of factors like poor soil health that may be contributing to the low production.” Preliminary findings of the survey are expected to be released by the end of August.
