We are looking forward to a good season.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) chief executive officer, Bhan Singh made this comment during the opening of the crushing season at Lautoka Mill yesterday.

Mesake Ledua, Commissioner Western, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

Mr Singh said: “We expect this season to be better than the last two to three years.

“Better in terms of operations, efficiency and sugar making.”

He said Lautoka Mill’s target was to crush 510,000 tonnes of cane.

“We expect to produce about 50,000 tonnes of sugar.”

Mr Singh said the board members and officials from the Ministry of Sugar were determined to see the progress and the success of the sugar industry.

“The management is confident to deliver positive results in the varying environment.

“We value our partnership with our cane growers, cane transport operators and industry stakeholders.

“I am confident that our collaboration will help deliver the positive future that we all need.”

He added Government’s support was core to the partnership.

Mr Singh said the FSC was aiming to achieve two million tonnes of cane this year.

However, after being impacted by two devastating tropical cyclones which caused major damages to the crops, mills and other facilities, they were expecting a crop of only about 1.4 millions tonnes, he said.

Mr Ledua said: “With the restructure of the field team which includes a dedicated farm advisor per sector, we expect an improvement in the cane production.”

He added to ensure effective operations, all stakeholders must work in a synergised manner to have a successful season.

Meanwhile, crushing at Rarawai Mill will commence on July 7.

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