Sugarcane farming

The plantings were donated by another sugarcane farmer, Job Charlie, through the Ministry of Agriculture.

 Simbolo said, “This is the first time that I will be investing in sugarcane farming as a potential source of income for my families.”

“I have harvested one hectare of manioc plot and I will be planting sugarcane instead of replanting manioc.”

Simobolo and Charlie are both members of the Efate Sugarcane Farmers’ Association that was recently established on Efate.

The project also aims to promote sugarcane as a potential cash crop in Vanuatu.

A sugarcane farmers’ association was established during a meeting with the DARD, the 83 Islands Distillery and the sugarcane farmers of Efate last month.

The Acting Provincial Agriculture Officer for SHEFA Province, Fernand Massing, said the establishment of such associations as Efate Sugarcane Farmers will ensure easy access to assistance from the DARD or any other relevant government departments, should the association make such requests in the future.