SUGAR industry stakeholders have noted an increase in new canegrowers with many having had no experience in sugarcane production at all.
In light of this, stakeholders have held discussions with the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) to establish formal courses in land preparation and cane farming.
This was revealed during the sugar industry stakeholder consultations at Tagitagi near Tavua earlier this week.
"Due to the huge increase in new growers, there is an urgent need to develop educational programs to advise the new farmers on new technology in cane farming and also the best farming practice to boost production," said acting Cane Growers Council chief executive officer, Sundresh Chetty.
Tate and Lyle sugar consultant Dan Boodhna also informed growers of training available through the FSC.
"Anyone interested in learning best farming and husbandry practices can express their interest with Fiji Sugar Corporation field officers and we will be more than glad to assist," he said.
"We will come out to the various sectors and hold demonstrations for groups which will greatly benefit new farmers and even those who have been planting cane for years."