‘Extensive
Amount of Harvestable Cane Remains’: Dutt
Asignificant amount of harvestable cane remains for the season, says Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) chief executive officer, Vimal Dutt.
Mr Dutt said although the Lautoka Mill had officially ceased milling for the season, cane was being transferred to the Rarawai Mill in Ba by lorries and the difference in the transfer costs were compensated from the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).
He said the current wet weather also hampered the progress of cane harvesting.
“My visit to Ba recently witnessed growers bearing additional costs in pulling cane out from the field for reloading,” said Mr Dutt.
“Fields are inaccessible for lorries and mechanical harvesters and based on the ground situation the council has requested FSC to extend crushing at Rarawai.”
He said similarly for the Labasa growers who were experiencing the effects of the wet weather conditions leading to the harvesting program being extensively disturbed.
Mr Dutt also said the council had jointly, with FSC, actively engaged in mobilizing cane harvesters and gangs to assist the growers.
“The objective is to ensure all harvestable cane is delivered to
the mill before the termination of crush, cane being the primary source of income for most to fill their commitments and prosper,” Mr Dutt said.
“Normally in the tail end of harvesting the cost of harvesting and
transport is unreasonable, however with guaranteed cane price it is manageable to an extent.”
He said that growers had been advised to concentrate on weed control, fertilizer application as part of ratoon cultivation activities during the wet conditions.
The cane planting season has been extended to tomorrow.