A Labasa cane farmer looks forward to harvest close to 3000 tonnes of cane this crushing season.

Mohammed Sarif from Vunimoli, Labasa said he was expecting harvest between 2800 tonnes to 3000 tonnes of cane from his 80 acres of farmland.

“I have eight cane farming contracts, with farmlands distributed across Seaqaqa and Vunimoli,” he said.

“I feel like this is going to be a good season.”

“The crushing season started right on time before the wet season which could have affected the crushing.”

Mr Sarif said he has been sending his harvest to the Labasa mill daily.

“We cannot say for certain how long it will take to completely harvest the cane depending on the weather.”

“However, each day, we harvest and deliver around 150 tonnes of cane.”

Mechanical harvester
The farmer owns a mechanical harvester which he uses to harvest such large amounts of cane more efficiently.

“The cane cutting machine I own makes work easier.”

“Apart from that I have hired five full time labourers who help me throughout with planting and harvesting along with the lorry driver and a machine operator.”

“I am thankful for my labourers, especially during such trying times.”

He said he was grateful the COVID-19 virus had not reached the shores of Vanua Levu and hoped it continued to keep at bay.

“Our sugar industry is faring quite well, and I hope the economic impacts caused by the virus can be cushioned through the industry.”

He said he understood the economic repercussions presented by the pandemic, and saw sugar as a way of economic revival.

“We have to work together with Fiji Sugar Corporation,” he said.

“Otherwise, who will buy my cane?”

“We have to make use of the resources we have here, right now.”

Mr Sharif has also thanked the Labasa mill manager Michael Faktaufon, for overseeing the harvest was delivered effectively to the mill.

“Sugar industry stakeholders have been doing a good job over the past years and I am hopeful the industry will only get better he,” he said.

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