BURNT cane has cost the sugarcane industry in the millions over the past few years.

And while the issue had died down last year, cane farms going up in flames is threatening to be a major problem this year with a number of cases already reported to police.

Roneel Singh lost more than 100 tonnes of cane last week in three separate burning incidents in Balata, Tavua.

When The Fiji Times visited his farm, the burnt cane lay scattered across the fields.

His wife, Ronam Devi, said this year was going to be more difficult than usual.

“Sugarcane farming is already very hard,” she said.

“We have a lot of difficulties trying to get people to work on the farm to plant and cut our cane.

“And it is really sad to see all the hard work and money that we poured into the farm go up in smoke.”

Mrs Devi said her husband had to work as a carpenter to help his family make ends meet and the cane burning would mean a loss of income and also a loss in terms of labour, fertiliser and weedicide inputs as well.

She said the matter had been reported to police but no one had been caught as yet.

In April, more than 350 tonnes of Fiji Sugar Corporation cane was set alight on the Nadi Back Road.

CEO Graham Clark said possible perpetrators had been identified and discussions were being held with the Fiji Sugar Corporation to increase awareness on cane burning.

While some are accidental, stakeholders are concerned about the increasing number of deliberate burning incidents and the escalating costs in terms of processing.

Burnt cane also affects the overall quality of locally produced sugar and this could have an impact on marketing opportunities.

When sugar cane is burnt, there is a high possibility of increase in impurities such as dextran.

This incurs increased cost during cane processing because caustic chemicals will have to be used to clean machines more frequently.