Close to 50 cane growers in the Drasa Nalelemomo community of Nadi would benefit from the new funded cane access road.

It is understood the total cost of the four kilometres of cane road access was $53,780.

Permanent Secretary of Sugar, Yogesh Karan said the project was fully funded by the Ministry of Sugar through its Cane Access Road budget where the Government had allocated $2 million under the 2021/2022 National Budget.

“From 2001 to 2021, the number of farmers in the area dropped from 35 to 22,” he said.

He referred to this shift as a result of inaccessible roads for lorries.

“Now that the road is accessible, we are hoping to see more farmers utilising this road for easier cane delivery.”

“The tonnage from this area had dropped over the years but with the new cane access road, I am sure the tonnage would increase.”

Mr Karan said the Ministry would continue to allocate funds for the cane access road maintenance.

The project was undertaken by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services who constructed the road with the fund allocation by Ministry of Sugar.

For cane grower Valami Tavui, the new access road brought renewed hope.

“I had sold my farm and moved to the other part of the area because transportation of cane was difficult,” he said.

“However, with this new road, cane growers will find it easier to transport cane.”

“It can also attract more cane growers.”

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