Sugarcane farmers in the greater Tavua area have been assured of continued support as the Ministry of Sugar Industry is identifying suitable areas for access road construction after their cane deliveries were disrupted by the recent fire at the Rarawai Sugar Mill in Ba.
The Ministry of Sugar Industry says they, together with the Fiji Sugar Corporation have committed to developing alternative transport routes to ensure farmers can continue delivering their cane despite the mill’s temporary closure.
Permanent Secretary Dr Vinesh Kumar met with affected farmers from Wainivoce, Vatubo, Rakavidi and Waikubukubu over the weekend.
The farmers raised concerns about harvested cane being left in the fields due to the suspension of rail operations, which had only recently been restored before the fire.
Dr Kumar announced that FSC will begin immediate scoping works to identify suitable areas for access road construction.
He says the plan is to create dual-mode routes that allow trucks to reach farms directly as their goal is to ensure farmers deliver their cane before the rainy season begins, and that no crop is lost because of the current disruptions.
Dr Kumar says to assist in the interim, two FSC lorries have been assigned to service the affected areas.
The Ministry says work on the new access roads is scheduled to begin on Thursday, once scoping and safety checks are completed.
