The Labasa Cane Producers Association has completed 630 projects in communities on Vanua Levu since 2011.

The association’s executive manager, Lakhan Kumar, said the assistance included water projects, solar systems, electricity consumer deposits, public convenience, culvert and Irish crossings, drainage, roads and income-generating projects for women’s groups.

He made this known during the recent visit of the Sugar Minister, Charan Jeath Singh, who was in Labasa last week.

“The community development projects have brought a lot of improvisation into the cane belt communities and we believe in working in partnership with other organisations,” Mr Kumar said.

“We are not confined to cane growers only but to a larger cross section of the community and we are committed to development of all sectors of cane farming areas.

“Our commitment is aimed at alleviating poverty and focussing on capacity building where equal opportunities is given to all communities.” The association, he said, had a total of 3448 members in the Labasa area.