The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has firmly decided to proceed with the closure of the Rarawai Sugar Mill in Ba on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This decision has drawn criticism from Mahendra Chaudhry, leader of the Fiji Labour Party, who suggests that the closure is a delaying tactic that could hinder productivity.
Bhan Pratap Singh, FSC’s CEO, defended the mill’s temporary shutdown, asserting that it was necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of cane could reach the mill. He noted that cane crushing was halted on Wednesday evening for the Christmas break, resuming after midnight on Sunday when an adequate volume of cane was available. This approach, he argued, allows for better operational efficiency during the festive season.
Chaudhry, however, was not convinced by the FSC’s reasoning. He highlighted post-holiday weather conditions that would have been favorable for harvesting, which he believed should have been capitalized on. He revealed that on Saturday, over 60 lorries were present at the mill waiting to unload but were instructed to return on Monday, which delayed the milling process for other drivers waiting to deliver their cane.
The urgency of the situation has been amplified by the National Farmers Union’s national secretary, who stated that over 100,000 tonnes of cane remain to be milled, stressing that time is becoming increasingly critical. He accused the FSC of neglecting the farmers’ needs while the Sugar Ministry and the government-appointed Sugar Cane Growers Council remain passive observers.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Fiji’s sugar industry, highlighting the need for effective management and swift action to address logistical issues impacting local farmers. With a pressing need for timely processing, stakeholders hope for immediate resolution to ensure the industry’s sustainability and support for local growers.
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