Harvest plea
SCGC: BOYCOTTING NOT THE ANSWER
BOYCOTTING is not the answer, says Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) CEO Vimal Dutt.
He made the comment at the start of crush at the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) Lautoka Mill yesterday.
Mr Dutt was responding to concerns raised by farmers over the $54.36 forecast price per tonne of cane for the 2021 season.
“That is not the way forward for the industry,” he said.
“We are in an abnormal situation for this country and globally as well so let’s not turn away a source of income for us.
“Whatever is coming our way, we need to respect it.
“This is a blessing, not only for the farmers, but for the industry as a whole.”
Mr Dutt urged farmers to begin harvesting their cane. Farmers have expressed disappointment with the forecast price of $54.36.
They said the delivery payment of $32.61 (60 per cent of forecast price) would not cover their harvest and cartage costs which ranged from $38 to more than $50 per tonne.
Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan declined to comment on the issue despite claims by canegrowers that they had sent petitions calling for a review of the forecast price.
Meanwhile, FSC says it is expecting a total crush of 1.4 million tonnes of cane, a significant drop from the 2 million tonnes it hoped to process this year.
THE Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) states it is expecting a total crush of 1.4 million tonnes of cane, a significant drop from the two million tonnes it hoped to process this year.
While speaking at the launch of the 2021 crushing season at the Lautoka mill yesterday, CEO Bhan Pratap Singh said inclement weather was the reason they had reduced crop size.
“This year, the industry was impacted by two devastating tropical cyclones which caused major damage to our crops, our mills and many other facilities,” he said.
“We were aiming to achieve at least two million tonnes of cane this year but the adverse impact of the cyclones and floods took us far back.
“We are now expecting a crop of only 1.4 million tonnes.
“All these challenges did not only impact our business but it also impacted the livelihoods of the farmers and all others who are associated with the industry.
“This year, the Lautoka mill is targeting to crush about 510,000 tonnes of cane and we expect to produce about 50,000 tonnes of sugar.”
Mr Singh said despite the challenges, mill operators had been working round the clock to prepare the factory for crushing.
“The Government of Fiji is now the major shareholder, owning about 94 per cent shares in the company.
“We value our partnership with the canegrowers and industry stakeholders and I’m confident that our collaboration will bring about a positive future that we all need.
“The great support of Government is core to this partnership and we are extremely grateful for the assistance that is provided to the sugar industry.”