A Lautoka canegrower says he will not be able to harvest cane on his two-and-a-half acre Lovu sector farm because of labour shortage issues.

Anwar Ali said he faced the same issue last year but expected things to be worse this time around because of the COVID-19 movement restrictions and safety protocols.

He said finding labourers and a truck to deliver harvested cane this year would be difficult.

“I couldn’t harvest my cane last year because of the same problem,” the 76-year-old said.

“I don’t have any help this season so I’m really worried I won’t be able to harvest my cane again this year.”

Mr Ali said after the two lockdowns in Lautoka, his labour issues had exacerbated and he was unable to prepare for the 2021 crushing season.

“I can’t get help from other farmers because I am not part of a gang.

“So when the lockdowns happened last year and this year, my farm took a really big hit because a lot of the farmers were only looking after their own gang members.”

Crushing at the Lautoka mill was scheduled to begin on June 4 but was pushed back because of the COVID-19 crisis.