Farmers urged to be proactive during rainy weather
Sugarcane farmers in the Northern Division are encouraged to stay vigilant and take action to prevent any negative effects of flooding on their crops and maximise production.
They have been warned against potential negative impacts of waterlogging, nutrient leaching, disease spread, and lodging on their crops.
With continuous rain in the region for the past two weeks and ongoing, the chief executive officer of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji, Vinesh Kumar, shared some advice to the cane growers. He emphasised that waterlogging could impede root growth, leading to reduced nutrient uptake and ultimately affecting the overall health and yield of the cane. He also highlighted disease spread as a concern for growers, as waterlogged conditions could create a breeding ground for pathogens that could devastate a crop.
Mr Kumar stressed the importance of closely monitoring fields and taking proactive measures to prevent and manage diseases. He recommended consulting sector field officers for specifications regarding cane planting areas and suggested implementing various management strategies to improve crop health and productivity.
One strategy Mr Kumar said was the installation of effective drainage systems to regulate water levels in the soil and prevent waterlogging.
“Farmers should consider implementing additional drainage systems or improving existing ones to remove excess water from fields,” Mr Kumar added. Another practice suggested by the researcher was the use of cover crops during the off-season to protect and enhance soil quality for future planting.