A mechanical sugar harvester that can be used on hilly terrain will be trialled in Fiji in the 2025 harvesting season, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh has announced.
He has procured the machine from the Kumiki Company Ltd, on Okinawa Island in Japan.
“This rubber track small-sized mechanical harvester is suitable for Fiji’s hilly terrain as this has been tested and is operating well here in Japan,” said Minister Singh.
“The main idea is to address labor issues in Fiji for hilly terrain farmers. Currently, the harvesters that are used in Fiji are for flat land only.”
“This machine will be trialled in different locations and will be brought to Fiji before the next harvesting season.”
The machine has a 1-tonne bin capacity attached at the back of the harvester, which is replaced once full of a billet cane.
The billeted cane from the bins is then off-loaded in trucks using a crane. The harvester can harvest approximately 7 tons per hour.
