Cane production decline – a worry

The Sugar Commission of Fiji says the decline in the level of cane production is a very big concern for Fiji's sugar industry.

Commission Chairman John May says Fiji needs to increase sugar production to over three million tons to continue to be viable in using four sugar mills.

May says a number of issues need to be resolved if the cane production is to be increased from the current 2.5 million tons to three million tons.

“One is to convince the growers growing sugar cane continues to be viable in the future,” said May.

“Even despite the reduction in prices to Europe and we have shown that, we can be viable to do a few things, increase the yields and the farms little bit more work in that could make it viable industry for the growers,” he said.

“The other issue is the land issue which the government is addressing through the KABUL Committee and we hope that growers whose leases are being reviewed will continue to be on the land that’s one issue that makes cane farming little bit suspect in the eyes of the growers,” he added.

The Sugar Commission Chairman was reacting on comments made by the FSC chief executive Deo Saran who had said that Lautoka, Rarawai and Penang Sugar Mills were being under-utilized this season .

Saran says Penang Mill may end it’s crushing season by the third week of next month because of low cane production in the area.

source:radiofiji