THE Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has accelerated harvesting efforts before the impact of the prolonged dry spell impacts harvesting and replanting campaigns for the 2027 crushing season.
Board chairperson Nitya Reddy said the corporation’s immediate focus was on maximising sugar recovery from every tonne of cane delivered as they anticipate a reduction in cane availability.
“This includes maturity-based, or Brix-based, harvesting to ensure that cane is harvested at the optimum stage of maturity,” he said.
“A number of operational and logistical measures are also being implemented across the mills.
“FSC is accelerating the conversion from manual to mechanical harvesting, with a target of approximately 100,000 tonnes across three mills, including 40,000 tonnes at Labasa Mill.
“This is intended to facilitate faster harvesting before the impact of the drought intensifies.”
He said harvester logistics were being prioritised to reach cane in distant sectors as well as hilly and sloping areas that are particularly vulnerable to drought.
“FSC is working to reduce crop stand-over across the three mills to less than 20,000 tonnes, with the objective of harvesting as much of the available crop as possible.
“At Labasa, 16 harvesting gangs from Corrections Department, involving 166 cutters, are currently engaged, the highest level to date.
“The target is to harvest approximately 11,000 tonnes at Labasa Mill, which is about double last year’s level.”
Mr Reddy added FSC would continue to provide a $5 per tonne subsidy for manual harvesting, increased from $3 per tonne last year.
“At Labasa, the number of cage bins in operation has been increased to a record 60, supporting growers in the Daku-Wainikoro sectors.
“This has enabled cane supply through the cage-bin system to be increased from approximately 4000 tonnes to 8000 tonnes.
“These measures are aimed at reducing harvesting delays, improving the flow of cane to the mills and maximising sugar production despite the anticipated decline in overall cane supply.”
