About 93,000 tonnes of cane have been left unharvested, rather than the 140,000 tonnes as claimed by Opposition MP Viam Pillay.
In a response to fijivillage News, the Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited says there were no delays caused by mill inefficiencies, as daily cane supply quotas are issued strictly based on each mill’s crushing capacity.
The FSC says that this year the Sugar Industry Tribunal did not grant permission for any on-programme burning of cane.
Despite repeated advisories to supply fresh green cane to the mills, some growers continued to burn their cane at their own discretion.
As a result, penalties were applied in accordance with the relevant clauses of the Master Award.
Pillay had also highlighted that only five percent of cane growers are under the age of 40, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the sector.
In response, the FSC says it is working closely with the Government and key industry stakeholders to encourage young people to take up sugarcane farming.
The Government has introduced grants to support lease renewals, as well as assistance for new farmers who wish to purchase or lease land to establish cane farms.
In addition, the Sugarcane Farm Mechanisation Programme, introduced in 2023, promotes full mechanisation through tractor service providers and cooperatives by supplying all necessary implements to cover the entire crop cultivation cycle.
The programme is now being further strengthened through the support of industry stakeholders, innovative mechanised solutions, and strategic collaborations aimed at addressing labour shortages and promoting smart farming practices.
The FSC says these initiatives are generating growing interest among young people and investors, many of whom are now entering cane farming on a commercial basis.Mansi
