Rarawai, Lautoka and Labasa Sugar Mills to go through maintenance

The Rarawai, Lautoka and Labasa Sugar Mills are expected to go through maintenance works this year.

This has been highlighted by the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh who says the Fiji Sugar Corporation staff will resume work from Monday and as soon as they get moving, they hope to bring in people from overseas to have a look at the mills.

Singh says there will be some experts coming from Thailand to investigate and give some briefs on the technicalities of setting up these mills including the new Penang Mill and its financial aspect.

He says there will also be a feasibility study at the Rakiraki Mill and a public tender.

The Sugar Minister says their whole process is very transparent.

Singh also highlighted that the number of active farmers in Rakiraki has dropped from 300 to 125 but there is potential for growth as farmers want to come back to the farms because there are a lot of land left idle.

He says the farmers can also expect more in the price of sugar per tonne for the coming season.

Singh says the sugar industry will bounce back but at a very high cost.