Preparations begins as Lautoka Mill to start cane processing tomorrow

NANDNI VANDHANA
Nadi

Lautoka Mill, the country’s largest sugarcane mill, will begin crushing cane tomorrow.
Fiji Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive, Sundresh Chetty, said it is expected to be a good crushing season through all the support provided by the government.
“There have been improvements to the infrastructure in transporting cane to the mills, fuel concessions which will make things easier for the farmers,” Mr Chetty said.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation has also invested in two mechanical harvesters which will aid in harvesting cane and maintaining a constant supply of sugarcane to the mill.
It is understood the mechanical harvester can cut up to 1000 tonnes of raw sugarcane on flat land, favourable road conditions and on properly looked-after farms.
Corporation executive chairman, Abdul Khan, said the mechanical harvester was brought in the country to cater for the declining number of cane cutters.
“The younger generation do not have much interest cutting cane and so this will assist the farmers and maintain a constant supply of cane to the mill,” Mr Khan said.
“The harvesters will cut cane on FSC’s estates around Nadi and Lautoka which is suitable for the harvester to cut sugarcane.”
This investment has cost FSC more than AU$247,500 (FJ$ 427,892 ) and will assist in the crushing of the target two million tonnes of sugarcane this year producing target 200,000 tonnes of sugar.
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