SUGARCANE growers in flooded areas of the Western Division are being urged to ensure their fields do not remain waterlogged to minimise the impact of floodwaters on newly-planted crops.
Sugar Cane Growers Council CEO Sundresh Chetty said it was important farmers made every effort to clear drains once the wet weather associated with tropical depression TD04F had cleared.
“As it is, we actually needed rain during this time because of the cane replanting efforts of the growers,” he said.
“But problems could arise if cane fields contain stagnant water because this will affect the growth and development of newly-replanted ratoons and new cane crops that have yet to firmly establish roots.
“We urge farmers to ensure their drains are well-maintained so that water does not remain for too long in their fields.”
Cane crushing for the 2016 season was seriously affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in February this year.
This resulted in a total harvest of about 1.39million tonnes of cane.
Sugar industry stakeholders are optimistic Government’s $13.6million cane replanting grant will boost efforts towards the projected three million tonne crush by 2020.
