The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called for compensation for cane farmers affected by the closure of the Rarawai Mill, which is set to shut down for the season on January 12, 2026. NFU General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry expressed concerns regarding the impact of this closure on farmers, particularly those left with unmilled cane, due to the challenging harvesting conditions experienced throughout the season.
Chaudhry had previously reached out to the Minister for Sugar and the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) on December 18, urging them to halt the milling at Rarawai and to provide compensation of $35 per tonne for the standover cane. He emphasized that the difficulties faced by growers were not self-inflicted, but rather the result of operational issues beyond their control.
The 2025 harvesting season has been particularly tough, with significant financial losses attributed to milling failures and an overall decline in operational efficiency across all three mills. The situation was exacerbated by the Rarawai Mill’s earlier three-month shutdown due to a fire in September, which coincided with ideal harvesting conditions, leading to a significant backlog of cane.
Chaudhry also criticized the timing of the Lautoka Mill’s closure on December 5, just a week before Rarawai resumed operations. This decision pressured Viti Levu growers, as they were forced to transport cane to the Ba Mill under difficult conditions and amidst labor shortages as the festive season approached.
The NFU leader highlighted that the Rarawai Mill struggled to manage the influx of cane upon resuming operations, resulting in FSC needing to impose restrictions on the number of trucks allowed entry. He asserted that the operational failures are primarily responsible for the turmoil currently affecting farmers, stating that these challenges cannot be placed on the shoulders of the growers.
Chaudhry recalled promises made by then Finance Minister Biman Prasad, who, during a visit to the Rarawai Mill post-fire, assured that every stick of cane would be milled. Instead, that commitment has not been fulfilled, leaving farmers with an estimated 85,000 tonnes of standover cane and significant financial losses. He argued that the government and FSC have a responsibility to compensate farmers for their losses, underscoring the pressing need for support in the face of these hardships.
This situation illustrates the crucial intersection of agriculture, operational efficiency, and governmental accountability, highlighting the importance of cooperative efforts to mitigate the challenges faced by local farmers in adverse conditions.
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