MANAGING multiple crops simultaneously requires precision planning to avoid threatening ultimate cane tonnage and commercial sugar content, says Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) acting chief executive officer Sharneel Kumar.
Mr Kumar was responding to questions regarding key technical challenges farmers face when managing two different crops simultaneously such as fertiliser application cycles or weed control, and what guidance does SRIF offer to mitigate these. He was also responding to calls for farmers to explore diversified forms of farming apart from sugar.
Primary challenges he identified include co-ordinating different fertiliser requirements, managing labour during intense planting or harvesting windows, and scheduling irrigation where water resources are restricted.
Farmers also struggle with pest control and selecting entirely compatible intercrops.
While nutrient competition can threaten crops during early growth stages, Mr Kumar said properly selected, short-duration intercrops offer significant benefits and their rapid establishment provides early ground cover that naturally suppresses weeds.
Post-harvest, these crop residues enrich the soil by returning vital organic matter and nutrients.
To counter these technical hurdles, Mr Kumar said SRIF supports growers through its Technology Transfer Program, offering targeted field demonstrations, training, and specialised soil-testing laboratories across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu to guide fertiliser decisions. Farmers are also encouraged to consult government non-sugar crop specialists.
Mr Kumar said diversification built essential climate and economic resilience, particularly in the harder-hit Western and Northern Divisions.
“If adverse weather affects sugarcane growth or delays harvesting, farmers may still earn income from short-duration crops harvested earlier.”
Mr Kumar said intercropping simultaneously protects vulnerable soil from heavy rainfall erosion and conserves moisture during prolonged dry spells.
