The National Farmers Union (NFU) has reached out to the new Minister for Sugar, Tomasi Tunabuna, as well as the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), urging for the immediate end of the crushing season at the Rarawai Mill and demanding compensation for farmers affected by stand-over cane. The union is requesting a compensation rate of $35 per tonne for cane that remains unharvested.
The Rarawai Mill, which was closed for almost three months due to fire damage starting on September 17, has left an estimated 140,000 tonnes of cane unharvested across the Ba, Tavua, Ra, and Lautoka areas. NFU General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry pointed out that persistent wet weather since the resumption of mill operations is hampering the ability of farmers to harvest and transport cane to the mill.
“Farmers are facing great difficulty in harvesting and delivering cane to the mill because of the extremely wet weather in the last two weeks,” Mr. Chaudhry stated. He highlighted that the conditions have made it impossible to operate harvesting machines, which in turn has disrupted the supply chain and led to significant losses for both growers and the FSC.
As the industry enters the wet season and the Christmas holidays approach, farmers are struggling with a significant labor shortage that further complicates harvesting efforts. Mr. Chaudhry expressed concern that many farmers have lost hope of successfully getting their cane harvested.
The NFU is advocating for all growers with stand-over cane, including those in the Labasa and Lautoka mill areas, to receive compensation at the proposed rate, which represents one-third of the anticipated average cane price of $101.13 for the upcoming 2024 season. Additionally, the union has criticized the FSC and mill management for their handling of the fire incident at Rarawai, asserting that farmers should not have to shoulder the consequences of management failures.
The NFU is also pushing for the reimbursement of penalties incurred for burnt cane since September 17, 2025, and for the reinstatement of transportation allowances from $10 back to $15 per tonne. “The farmers cannot continue to bear the burden of such inefficiencies,” Mr. Chaudhry reiterated.
This situation reflects the ongoing challenges faced by sugar cane farmers in the region, highlighting the need for effective management and support systems in place to safeguard this vital agricultural sector.
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