Sugar Research Institute (SRIF) CEO Dr Vinesh Kumar says the institute will provide more technical expertise and sustainable practices with the help of stakeholders in Fiji and abroad.
Mr Kumar said there was an urgent need for more farmers to adopt new technology in their farming system.
Speaking before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, Mr Kumar said two of the challenges faced by the industry were aging and new young farmers and a decline in sugar cane production.
“In the last three months, we have strategised and gone into three phases, which is immediate, midterm and long term,” Mr Kumar said.
“For immediate, we have made available 600 tonnes of seed cane across the milling areas.
“To entice the farmers, this time round we are encouraging farmers to get 4 tonnes of seed cane, and we provide an extra 2 tonnes free of charge.
“We are also providing transportation for farmers as well as labour when it comes to harvesting cane.
“We are assisting the farmers in collaboration with the FSC, so again, we encourage farmers to take advantage of this,” Mr Kumar said.
