Inmates assist with cane harvesting in Labasa. Photo: SITERI TALEITAKI
LABASA
In Vanua Levu, cane harvesting season started off with enthusiasm the past week.
Forty-four inmates from the Labasa Corrections Centre were able to harvest 71 tonnes of canes in two days to start off the harvesting season. They worked hard in cane fields on four farms in cane belts areas of Labasa.
The assistance of inmates to harvest cane follows difficulties faced in the last season whereby cane farmers faced a shortage of canecutters.
Supervisor Lemeki Rokovesa said 44 inmates were deployed and are working around the clock in this cane harvesting season.
He said the institution received 59 applications from cane farmers in Vanua Levu.
“From the 59 applicants, they have started to work in four cane farms in Nabekavu, Waiqele, Basoga and Wailevu outside Labasa and if weather permits, we will work on the other 55 cane farms.”
The criteria to qualify for inmate help is cane farmers should provide them with a farm house, farms are to be clean and its location should be near the institution.
Mr Rokovesa said the inmates were being paid.
“For inmates to harvest cane will enable them to learn new skills and acquire knowledge about the sugar industry,” he said.
“We have to support the sugar industry and this is the only way we can help and assist cane farmers by harvesting their cane.”