Repeka Nasiko

CANE top-up payments from Government should be channelled through a tiered system to ensure active growers are properly compensated, according to concerns raised during parliamentary scrutiny. During the Ministry of Sugar Industry 2021–2022 Annual Report presentation, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs chairperson Sakiusa Tubuna said there were concerns that subsidies were being distributed to […]

THE Health Ministry has activated response plans ahead of a prolonged dry period expected to affect the country until early 2027. The dry spell, forecast by the Fiji Meteorological Service, is linked to a Super El Niño phenomenon affecting much of the world. Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Penioni Ravunawa says ensuring all […]

A NEW Pacific Network for Health and Climate Change Action Plan 2026-2028 was launched at the Second Pacific Conference on Health and Climate Change Summit in Nadi yesterday. The regional framework is a culmination of 27 recommendations that were established at the Inaugural Pan Pacific Conference on Climate and Health in Fiji in 2024. The […]

THE role of the Sugar Research Institute has been questioned amid the ongoing discussion of declining sugar production levels. During the Ministry of Sugar Industry 2021-2022 Annual Report presentation, Standing Committee on Economic Affairs deputy chairwoman Premila Kumar raised concern while pointing out more than $200,000 was spent on new equipment for the institute. She […]

CLIMATE resilient crops is a solution that the Ministry of Agriculture is exploring as climate events continue to threaten the sector. While presenting the ministry’s 2021-2022 Annual Report before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Sugar Industry permanent secretary Dr Andrew Tukana said events such as the current super El Nino was a […]

THE Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has accelerated harvesting efforts before the impact of the prolonged dry spell impacts harvesting and replanting campaigns for the 2027 crushing season. Board chairperson Nitya Reddy said the corporation’s immediate focus was on maximising sugar recovery from every tonne of cane delivered as they anticipate a reduction in cane availability. […]

THE dry spell affecting farmlands across the Western Division has farmers worried about their future harvests. Sugarcane growers are already forecasting a 2027 low yield while vegetable farmers are running out of options as the dry earth becomes hostile environments for seedlings. Dakadaka settlement in Nawaicoba outside Nadi is littered with cane farmers who are […]

WATER sources in the interior of Nawaicoba on the outskirts of Nadi have started to dry up as the Super El Nino phenomenon accelerates drier conditions that is currently gripping the Western Division. The largely sugarcane farming area has been desperately trying to manage their water supply as community boreholes begin to reach critically low […]

THE prolonged dry spell is affecting mill operations by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) which is incurring close to $3million in unforeseen costs fuelled by the drier conditions affecting more than 13,700 cane growers. Responding to this newspaper on the impact the prolonged dry spell could have on operations, FSC board chairman Nitya Reddy said […]

SUGARCANE grower Saten Prasad is anticipating a low harvesting season this year. A cane farmer of more than 10 years, Mr Prasad says mounting costs of operating a sugar ane farm will be made worse with the dry spell that is starting to affect growers across the Western Division. “Our biggest problem this season was […]