By SHEIK DEAN
Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman, Abdul Khan, has urged farmers to keep up with the supply of cane to mills as the cane crushing enters into the second month.
Mr Khan said so far the four mills have crushed a total of 275,000 tonnes of cane and produced in excess of 26,200 tonnes of raw sugar in the first month of crushing.
“The mills are going well and we have picked up crushing especially after a few niggling breaks but we are hopeful of meeting our targets,” Mr Khan said in a statement.
“However, I still would like to urge farmers to continue supplying cane to the mills on a timely basis so that there is no more standing cane at the end of the crushing season.”
He further said the cane to sugar ratio had also improved compared to last year.
“The Tonne Cane to Tonne Sugar (TCTS) ratio has also improved to 10:1 which means a slight improvement and we will continue to find ways of improving this to bring it even lower to around 7.5 or 8,” Mr Khan said.
Pay increment clarified
Mr Khan also clarified the issue regarding the pay increment for mill workers.
“The pay rise has been discussed with the workers some time and we had told them of the review that was currently being made,” he said.
“What the politicians and the unions are doing is trying to twist it to show that the rise was because of them.
“The workers knew a pay rise was on its way and the rise had nothing to do with the unions.”
Farmers giving their best
Farmers in the Western Division decided to start helping with cutting cane themselves as they had been facing difficulties arranging for cane cutters.
“We faced problems in arranging cane cutters so we opted to help and keep the constant supply of fresh sugar cane to the mill,” saidSuriya Lal of Yako outside Nadi.
“Because of the technological advancement, younger generations have shifted their attention to white collar jobs who could have been very successful farm owners.
“Younger generations need to understand the significance of our industry. We should encourage them to use their ideas in reviving this Industry.
“Alternative ways of getting the best yields and various farming techniques can be developed from the inclusion of younger generations.”
Mr Lal has been in the sugar industry for the past 45 years and with his nine acre farm land yielding around 80 – 100 tonnes of sugar cane per year.
Truck drivers, Sur Sen (left) of Votualevu and Almesh Sharma of Sabeto outside the Lautoka Sugar Mill last week. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA