Youths in Rakiraki are increasingly choosing to work outside the farming sector as sugarcane farmers continue to face rising costs and ongoing challenges affecting the industry.
Korolevu, Rakiraki resident Divnesh Goundar says many young people are now looking for opportunities outside farming as earnings from sugarcane continue to decline and the cost of living continues to increase significantly.
Goundar says sugarcane farming is no longer providing enough income for many families, forcing some farmers to look for alternative sources of income while others are leaving the industry completely.
He says one of the biggest problems for farmers in Rakiraki is transporting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill, with cane sometimes taking two to three days to reach the mill after harvesting as the Rakiraki Mill is no longer operating.
Insert: Goundar on harvesting claim 27TH May Hindi
Goundar also highlights concerns over the rising cost of fertiliser and farming materials, saying prices have increased significantly in recent years despite government subsidies.
He says another major issue faced by farmers is the shortage of labour and transportation, particularly during wet weather conditions when moving cane from farms to roads becomes extremely difficult.
Goundar says many farming families now rely on children working in towns and cities to help support household expenses.
He adds that because of increasing living costs, many farmers are no longer relying solely on sugarcane and are turning to vegetable farming, livestock and other sources of income.
He says unless practical solutions are found soon, more farmers may continue leaving the sugar industry in the coming years.
Goundar is calling on the Government, the Sugarcane Growers Council and industry stakeholders to spend more time listening to farmers and addressing issues surrounding harvesting, transportation and cane payments.
Questions have been sent to the Ministry of Sugar Industry and they are yet to respond.
