Rakiraki businessman and former politician George Shiu Raj has expressed his concern over farmers’ frustrations with the frequent breakdowns of the Lautoka Sugar Mill. According to him, the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) should ensure the cane supplied to the mills is processed during the crushing season.
“Government has allocated millions of dollars for the repair and maintenance of the Lautoka sugarcane mill,” Mr. Shiu Raj stated.
He also pointed out that the Rarawai Mill in Ba is facing operational issues, with lorry drivers sometimes waiting up to 36 hours. “This is one of the biggest problems. Farmers are reluctant to supply sugarcane to the mill unless it is fully operational. Currently, farmers feel like beggars when their trucks are turned away due to mill breakdowns,” he said. “While the government has done its part, the primary issue in the sugar industry now lies with the mills.”
On the other hand, FSC CEO Bhan Pratap Singh acknowledged that the Lautoka mill did face some issues at the start of the crushing season but assured that the situation has been resolved. “The mill is now operational,” Mr. Singh confirmed. “We have addressed the concerns and the mill is running at the required capacity. We are committed to resolving issues raised by farmers and ensuring smooth mill operations for the benefit of all stakeholders.”