Tentative Date Set for Labasa Mill’s 2023 Crushing Season

The tentative dates for the 2023 crushing season at Labasa mill is set for May 31, with farmers encouraged to meet or achieve above their farm sector and personal farm targets.

This is an effort to increase the sugarcane production of the mill and also help FSC reach the 1.8 tonnes of production target for all three mills in the country for this year.

Labasa mill general manager, Michael Faktaufon, said early mill preparations were underway with four per cent of works completed. Mr Faktaufon said they are targeting a total sugarcane crop size of 670,000 tonnes for 2023. Expansions in the farming of sugarcane in new areas such as Vunisitisiti and Batiri in Seaqaqa is expected to increase the production yield for Labasa mill.

The GM also said further planting in Nasarawaqa and Nakiko should play an enhancing part to boost cane crop size for the Northern Division.

Tonnes

During a recent visit to FSC Labasa, Minister for Sugar and Multi

Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh, was impressed by the performance of the Labasa Mill in terms of the tonnes of Sugar produced. The mill was ranked the best performing in the country with 62, 541.66 tonnes of sugar produced from the 636, 818. 99 tonnes of cane crushed.

Mr Faktaufon said their field teams aim to improve on cultivation and crop husbandry practises to improve on the yield.

“The team is also mapping up a plan to improve cane supply and quality to the three mills in conjunction with their chemical team,” he indicated.

The firmly focused Mr Faktaufon said they aim is to reduce the Extraneous Matter (EM) that is received with cane at the mill.

Plans to address low lying farm flooding

Mr Faktaufon emphasised that farms located at low lying areas continued to be negatively affected with flooding and crop damage. FSC have identified these areas of farms which needed attention. “This will be forwarded to the Ministry of Sugar for their perusal at ministerial level,” he added.

Mechanical Harvesters and awareness training

There are plans to engage mechanical harvester owners and operators to undergo extensive awareness and training to improve on cane harvesting practices.

This was to reduce or limit the impact of cane crop damages during harvesting because there were instances when mechanical harvesters inappropriate harvesting skills led to this downfall.