THE future of the sugarcane industry is in peril, says the Lautoka Cane Producers Association.
President, Praveen Singh said damage caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston combined with the effects of two successive dry spells destroyed about 80 per cent of cane.
“We will be lucky to harvest 20 per cent of the expected crop, that’s how bad the situation is,” he said.
Mr Singh said while the actual impact and cost might not be known for some time, there was serious cause for alarm.
“The entire sugarcane industry will have to find a solution to the crisis together.
” We may have to forego the 2016 harvest and plan for a bigger harvest next year.
“That is the reality.”
Sugarcane industry stakeholders could not be reached for comment yesterday
However, Sugar Cane Growers Council CEO Sundresh Chetty said in an interview last week that a comprehensive survey would have to be conducted in the aftermath of Severe TC Winston before discussions could be held.
