Why is sugarcane farmer important to Fiji?
Fiji’s sugar industry has been the mainstay of the Fijian economy since 1882, but the industry is in a lot of trouble. In the 1990s Fiji produced over four million tonnes of sugarcane. Nevertheless, sugarcane farming still provides a livelihood to approximately 15 per cent of Fiji’s population.
How many sugarcane farmers are there in Fiji?
Sugarcane is currently grown in the two main islands of Fiji, Viti Levu and Vanna Levu, in proximity to the 4 mills, 3 in Viti Levu and 1 in Vanna Levu (Fig 1). About 22 000 growers currently produce around 4 million tonnes of cane on just under 100 000 ha (74 000 ha harvested annually over the past 4 years).
How much does a sugarcane farmer make?
Average revenue is $1,067 per harvested acre (3,070 acres), or $655 per farm acre (5,000 acres). Per acre revenues include $1,278 from plant cane fields and $959 from first ratoon fields. Second and third ratoon crops generate revenues of $879 and $831 per acre, respectively.
Are sugarcane farmers rich?
More than Rs 2 lakh income per acre Suresh said: “Our fields produce on an average 100 tonnes sugar cane per acre. Maharashtra has the rate of Rs 3,000 per tonne of sugarcane, which means we get Rs 3 lakh per acre. Out of this, Rs 70,000-80,000 is the cost.
Who owns Fiji sugar Corporation?
The Government of Fiji
Our Shareholders The Government of Fiji is a major shareholder which owns 68% of shares while statutory bodies, local companies and individuals own the rest of the shares.
When did sugarcane cultivation come up in Fiji?
1862
1862: first sugar produced in Fiji was made on the island of Wakaya by Mr. David Whippy. 1870: The sugar had displaced copra as the country’s main export-the position it has held to this day.
Where is sugarcane grown in Fiji?
Viti Levu
Sugarcane is currently grown in the two main islands of Fiji, Viti Levu and Vanna Levu, in proximity to the 4 mills, 3 in Viti Levu and 1 in Vanna Levu (Fig 1). About 22 000 growers currently produce around 4 million tonnes of cane on just under 100 000 ha (74 000 ha harvested annually over the past 4 years).
Is sugar cane business profitable?
Why are farmers growing sugarcane, even as arrears payable to them by mills in the current 2017-18 season has crossed Rs 23,000 crore? The answer is simple: It is one of the few crops today that’s still profitable to grow. The seed requirement for cane is generally pegged at 5 quintals per bigha.
Is sugarcane a cash crop?
Sugarcane is a cash crop, but it is also used as livestock fodder.
Which is the largest sugar mill in Fiji?
Lautoka mill
It operates four sugar mills, the Lautoka mill, the Rarawai mill in Ba District, Fiji the Penang mill in Rakiraki in Viti Levu, and the Labasa mill in Vanua Levu. The mill in Lautoka is the largest in Fiji and once held the title of being the largest sugar mill in the southern hemisphere.
Who are the majority of sugarcane farmers in Fiji?
2 Since 2010, the indigenous people of Fiji are officially known as iTaukei. ) community. In 1999, approximately 30% of sugarcane farmers were iTaukei, whereas the majority (70%) were Fijians of Indian origin (hereafter referred as Indians; FSC Annual Report, 2000 ).
Where are the Cane Belt districts in Fiji?
2 The cane belt refers to eight districts in Fiji (see Figure 1 for a map) where sugarcane farming is done. The districts are Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki (Western parts of Viti Levu), Seaqaqa, and Labasa (Northern parts of Vanua Levu).
Who are the Fijians of Indian origin?
Today’s Fijians of Indian origin citizens are the fourth and fifth descendants of labourers brought by the British to Fiji (Donnelly, Quanchi, & Kerr, 1994) 2 The cane belt refers to eight districts in Fiji (see Figure 1 for a map) where sugarcane farming is done.
Why do Indian farmers continue to grow sugarcane?
A good though diminishing number of Indian farmers continue to grow sugarcane: for some access to land lease provides security for residential housing; others continue because the occupation was passed on to them from past generations.