The future of the sugarcane industry in Fiji: climatic, non-climatic stressors, and opportunities for transformation

Daniela Medina Hidalgo; Angela Mallette; Suhayl Nadir; Salesh Kumar

doi:10.3389/fsufs.2024.1358647

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The future of the sugarcane industry in Fiji: climatic, non-climatic stressors, and opportunities for transformation

Journal article

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The future of the sugarcane industry in Fiji: climatic, non-climatic stressors, and opportunities for transformation

Daniela Medina Hidalgo, Angela Mallette, Suhayl Nadir and Salesh Kumar

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Vol.8, pp.1-13

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1358647

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Abstract

Pacific Islands

resilience

climate change

agricultural system

climate hazards

This study explores the complex dynamics of Fiji’s sugarcane industry, shedding light on the challenges it faces and the implications for agricultural system resilience and sustainability. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between climatic and non-climatic stressors and farmers’ decisions to abandon sugarcane farming. A total of 900 farmers were surveyed, which corresponds to approximately 7.5% of the sugarcane farming population in the country. Farmers were sampled using a stratified disproportional random sampling technique, by surveying 300 farmers from each of the three primary sugarcane mill regions in Fiji (Labasa, Lautoka, and Rarawai). Results depict an aging farming population with small land holdings, and limited income and agricultural diversification. While only 4% of farmers are currently considering abandoning sugarcane farming, a further 17.9% are uncertain about their future in the industry. The majority of farmers have been impacted by climate hazards, primarily tropical cyclones and floods, but the degree to which these hazards have affected livelihoods has had an effect on farmers’ willingness to remain in the industry and on the extent to which they implement reactive or anticipatory responses to hazards. The study highlights the need for coordinated efforts to support sustainable intensification and planned adaptation, especially in the face of climate-induced vulnerabilities, this should be a priority as the sector continues to navigate sustainability issues. Additionally, it underscores the importance of transforming the industry to address both climatic and non-climatic stressors. Ultimately, this research offers valuable insights into the multifaceted issues confronting Fiji’s sugarcane sector, and the broader agricultural systems it represents.

Details

Title: The future of the sugarcane industry in Fiji: climatic, non-climatic stressors, and opportunities for transformation
Authors: Daniela Medina Hidalgo (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
Angela Mallette (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research Cluster
Suhayl Nadir - Fiji National University
Salesh Kumar - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
Publication details: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Vol.8, pp.1-13
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1358647
ISSN: 2571-581X
Copyright note: © 2024 Medina Hidalgo, Mallette, Nadir and Kumar. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Data Availability: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991008498902621
Output Type: Journal article