Cane farmers have been urged to clear their cane fields of all stagnant water which may hinder and reduce the forecasted crop for this season.

Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Sundresan Chetty said the recent wet weather, has been good for the planting season but could also have adverse effects on cane if water is left standing in the fields.

The Western division have been having rain frequently over the past two to three months and it’s heavy at times.

Bad drainage in some cane farms have led to crop being damaged in the past.

Mr Chetty said the forecasted crop for the season was around 1.9 million tonnes.

“Our crop for this season looks really good and we must do everything to protect that figure,” he said.

“We were lucky we had not been hit by any natural disasters this season.

“However this wet weather means farmers need to get rid of all stagnant water in the fields.”

The planting season was ongoing and farmers have also been urged to take advantage of the present weather conditions and plant more cane.

“We have Government grants for the sugar industry and urge farmers to make use of this to increase tonnage in their farms.”

Mr Chetty said he has not received any reports of cane fields under water but said all precautions must be taken.

“We should have a bumper crop this season and build on this to make next season even better,” he said.

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