A sugarcane farm in Labasa that had been idle for over a decade has been restored to production, leading to plans for expanding the initiative to other areas in Fiji.

Recognising the land’s potential for mechanisation, FSC partnered with landowners and the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) to implement a phased approach to planting. Work began in August of last year, starting with land preparation, followed by planting a month later.

“To encourage wider community involvement, FSC organised a field day on the farm, providing farmers with hands-on training in land preparation, weed control, cane cultivation, and sustainable farming techniques,” Fiji Sugar Corporation CEO Bhan Pratap Singh said. “This inclusive approach, with active community participation, has been a key factor in the project’s success. Experts from the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) also provided guidance on soil health and seed selection to ensure sustainable productivity.”

The first step involved preparing 1.5 hectares for seed cane, which will later support the expansion of an additional 10 hectares of sugarcane cultivation.

Beyond Wainikoro, FSC has identified 10 land parcels in Lautoka, 11 in Parawai, and 10 in Labasa for development and is actively working with the TLTB and the Fiji Development Bank to drive these initiatives forward.

“Through strong partnerships with landowners and farmers, FSC is driving renewed interest in sugarcane farming and ensuring that agricultural land is utilised effectively. “This is just the beginning—FSC remains committed to working with stakeholders to expand sustainable sugarcane cultivation across Fiji,” Singh said.

Singh also reaffirmed FSC’s alignment with the National Development Plan (NDP) strategy, which prioritises enhancing farming on underutilised arable land, optimising land use, and establishing commercial farms to drive economies of scale.

Photo: Demonstrating the application of aglime to improve soil health and optimize conditions for sugarcane cultivation.