Cane farmer back on track after road repairs

Sugarcane farmer Mohammed Khalil says his livelihood is back on track after returning to harvesting and supplying cane to the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Labasa mill following a one-year absence.

When this masthead visited Mr Khalil at his farm in Korotari, Labasa, on Friday, October 9, he was emotional and overwhelmed that his persistence had paid off.

He said he was relieved to be supplying cane again this season after missing out last year because of problems with his cane access road, which later underwent Government-assisted repairs and upgrading.

Mr Khalil acknowledged the Fiji Sun for its continued coverage of his plight after 2025 proved to be one of the most difficult financial years for his sugarcane livelihood.

Following media coverage and consideration of his circumstances by the Ministry of Sugar, Mr Khalil received a $1000 cane access road grant from the ministry.

He is president of the Tala Leka road committee, which has been at the centre of controversy following allegations that a contractor illegally extracted gravel from the river, contributing to the deterioration of the road.

“This cane access road is located at the Korotari River and as per approved plans, it was clearly demarcated as a cane access road yet outsiders encroached this road for their financial benefit,” he said.

Mr Khalil said he was relieved to have harvested and transported 48 tonnes of sugarcane this season using the repaired access road.

“Whenever I call the Fiji Sun journalist to highlight my plea, they avail themselves to ensure our (farmers) voices are heard and I appreciate their dedication,” he said.

“Getting our cane access road repaired motivated me to remain in the sugarcane industry.”

Mr Khalil said he had lost 25 tonnes of productive cane on his farm because poor road conditions prevented him from transporting it to the mill.

“The illegal river gravel extraction by an alleged contractor led to the road becoming deep, preventing cane trucks from accessing the road to cart,” he said.

Some of the cane on his farm had rotted while he waited to harvest and transport it. However, he said the situation had improved this season.

He thanked Minister for Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna and his team for helping him secure the grant to repair the cane access road.

Mr Khalil plans to increase production next season, saying the assistance had renewed his motivation.

“We thank media and government for coming to our rescue,” he said.

Mr Tunabuna said sugarcane farmers continued to be prioritised through various forms of assistance offered by the ministry.

He said he wanted the industry to flourish and return to its former glory days of high productivity.