Farmers in Fiji’s Korotari area are expressing concerns as the sugarcane crushing season approaches without an official start date. A significant issue highlighted is the deterioration of roads leading to farms and sugar mills, which could severely hinder transportation during the crucial crush period. Local farmer Satish Chand emphasized that roads like Kothari Rd have been subject to multiple repairs, yet they remain inadequately maintained, raising fears that loaded cane trucks may face difficulties, ultimately causing delays in cane transportation.
Chand stated, “The farmers have been complaining, but nothing is being done,” urging that the government prioritize not just temporary fixes but thorough repairs to ensure the roads can support the industry. Despite these infrastructural concerns, there is a silver lining, as he noted that this year’s cane crop looks promising, attributing favorable weather conditions and a lack of recent hurricanes to the healthy state of the crop.
Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh assured farmers that the upcoming crushing dates would soon be announced by the Sugar Industry Tribunal and that their complaints regarding road conditions have been elevated to relevant authorities.
The situation reflects ongoing challenges similar to those faced in previous years, as road conditions have historically impacted farmers’ ability to transport their sugarcane efficiently. The call for robust infrastructure improvements is crucial not only for the sugar industry but also for the broader economic stability of agricultural communities in the region.
With positive weather patterns this season, there remains hope for fruitful outcomes in terms of both crop yield and timely harvesting, provided infrastructural issues are addressed effectively in the days to come.
Leave a comment