Additional $15 to harvest, transport sugarcane to the Lautoka mill: Biman

 The Rarawai Mill in Ba is expected to be fully operational again by December, says Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) chief executive officer Bhan Singh.

The 100-plus year-old mill was damaged by structural fire on Wednesday.

Mr Singh said repairs could be completed by December end or early next January.

He said this during acting Prime Minister Biman Prasad visit on Friday accompanied by the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh in Ba.

He said an investigation was underway to assess the damage caused by the fire.

Mr Singh said Lautoka Mill would sugarcane from areas serving the damaged mill with estimate to crush 400,000 tonnes of standing cane from mainly Sigatoka and Rakiraki.

‘’FSC has planned that no worker is going to lose out as some would be deployed to Lautoka, especially technical staff to ensure that mill preparedness in Lautoka is up to date,” he said.

“It will add additional strength and resources for Lautoka Mill to continue its efficient and effective operation.”

Mr Prasad said the ministry would support farmers to continue harvesting and transporting the cane to the Lautoka mill by giving additional $15 compensation on top of the average $33.

This is especially for farmers from Tavua and Rakiraki who were transporting the cane to Rarawai mill and now diverting to Lautoka Mill.

“FSC will immediately fix Rarawai Mill after the investigations are concluded,’’ Mr Prasad said.

Mr Singh said the estimate of this harvesting season would be $1.3 million more than last year, an estimated 1.6 million tonnes which is a significant increase in cane production for 2025.

‘’We will extend the Lautoka Mill if required,’’ Mr Singh said.

He assured the farmers not to worry as he would monitor the operations at the Lautoka Mill.

‘’We will ensure that the industry remains on track and 1.6 million tonnes of sugarcane will be harvested this season,’’ Mr Singh said.

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