Training For Female Sugarcane Farmers

For the first time, Sugar Re­search Institute of Fiji (SRIF) will train women on best management practice of sugar­cane.

Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) chief executive officer Pro­fessor Santiago Mahimairaja said women had always played a major role in agriculture including sugar­cane.

“During the Ministry of Sugar consultations held a few months ago, many female farmers had re­quested training from SRIF,” Mr Mahimairaja said.

“We decided to fulfil their request before the mills open for crushing season.”

“Women are directly involved in agricultural production activities, but their roles are not well recog­nised in the world.

“In Fiji, we know of women, who even perform the role in some sug­arcane cane cutting gangs, some are members of sugarcane coop­eratives, some are gang executives, and some are members of the board in their respective cane producer associations.

“The objective of the training, scheduled for Vanua Levu next week, is to build the capacity of women farmers to identify and an­alyse production problems and to become aware of opportunities for improvement in their farm man­agement activities.”

This three days training is expect­ed to gather around 25 to 30 women at each venue, Mr Mahimairaja said.

Story By:  Shratika Naidu

Feedback:  shratikan@fijisun.com.fj