Captain San Diversifies Into Sugarcane Farming
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An airline operator has diversified investments into agriculture, to supplement income for the airline’s day to day running. Northern Air has pumped approximately $500,000 into the sugar cane belt by purchasing 20 acres of farm land plus equipment.It plans to gradually increase the land acquisition to approximately 100 acres to allow an harvest of approximately 4000 tons of cane.
The farms are located in Vanua Levu.
The airline also purchased farming machinery and employed 10 people in its agricultural expansion, said chief executive officer and chief pilot Captain Rainjesh San. “Six families will manage our agricultural interests,” he said.
Returns on investment are spread over five years with a projected 12 per cent to 20 per cent yield per annum, he said.
“Anything in excess of 15 per cent returns will be reinvested in the agriculture arm of our operations,” Captain San said.
Returns on investment
The returns on investment for such a scheme offered more promise than what was offered by commercial banks and or any investment properties like housing etc would generate, he said.
“Machineries are specialised field where know how is paramount which I personally have.”
Farming machinery was purchased locally, and included a mechanical harvester, cultivating, rotovating, sprayers and a planting machine, Captain San said.
“I wasn’t prepared to invest in offshore purchasing for implements– that would mean more money going out of the country,” he said.
Aviation operations for Northern Air aredown 75 per cent, but is no reason to send staff home, Captain San said.
“I together with my wife and son work day and night together with my entire staff to ensure we put at least half a loaf of bread on the tables of each of my 62 workers,” he said.
“They work at reduced hours - because I’m not cut from the cloth that fires staff as a first choice.
“Northern Air has branched out to agriculture because I don’t want to send my staff home the way some employers have. “I’m using my personal reserves to keep the business going, because we don’t operate with subsidy like some.
“We can’t continue to operate empty, or else we’ll have nothing to live on when the tank is dry.”
Captain San said he received vacancy enquiries from some former employees of the
competing airline.
“My staff have been loyal to me – they stood by me during thicks and thin. I owe them; I will stand by them.”
Development
Captain San has urged landowners and lessees to develop docile land, given the economic constraints caused by COVID-19.
“Would they rather leave it vacant with overgrown shrub or use the land to plant sugarcane and get something out of it?”
Captain San continues to travel around Vanua Levu urging landowners to convert their docile land to agricultural use.
“I urge the young generation living in Squatter settlement from North and the west with them owning lands to move back to farming. Call me for advise if u need. Genuine only. Northern Air was founded in 2007 and services routes between the mainland and Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Moala, Levuka and Gau.