By RACHNA LAL
Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is now looking to acquire all the potential sugarcane farming land in Fiji, says executive chairman, Abdul Khan.
Mr Khan, confirming this, said they would be working with the iTaukei Land Trust Board, existing sugarcane farmers, landowners and private companies to achieve this.
This is all being done with the aim of increasing the production of good quality sugarcane.
“By increasing the production of good quality sugarcane, which is the critical raw material required, we can increase our revenue,” he said.
“Hence, we continue to provide better returns to farmers and other stakeholders in the industry.”
Areas looked at
Mr Khan said the areas basically being looked at which would be suitable for sugarcane plantation are all their sugar mill catchment areas.
Fiji Sugar Corporation has already secured land in Seaqaqa in the Northern Division for sugarcane farming.
Mr Khan said they intend to start planting later this season.
Harvesting season
And with plans for harvesting to begin this month, Mr Khan said plans for cane harvesting were going well.
“We are working with farmers and lorry owners to improve on the potential weak spots,” he said.
Production targets
Mr Khan meanwhile indicated they are currently working on harvesting 1.8 million tonnes of sugarcane this harvesting season.
He said their forecast sugar production is 180,000 tonnes.
“The likely export will be 160,000 tonnes,” he said.
With a record cane payment already made just two weeks ago, Mr Khan said the last wash-up cane payment for last year’s yield would be around October.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation Mill in Labasa is scheduled to open for cane crushing by mid-this month.