Permanent Secretary for Sugar Industry officiates as chief guest for the opening of the 2020 season cane crushing at Rarawai mill

The Rarawai mill in Ba was officially opened for another new crushing season on this day, the 23^rd of June, 2020. The Permanent Secretary for Sugar Industry, Mr. Yogesh Karan officiated as the chief guest. Present in this opening ceremony were officials from the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), officials from other sugar industry institutions, the Chiefs from Ba, Tavua & Ra province as well as other invited guests.

In his opening statement, Mr. Yogesh Karan fore mostly thanked the general manager of the Rarawai mill and staffs for the effort in ensuring the mechanical readiness of the mill for another new crushing season as well as maintaining the neatness and good shape of the mill infrastructures and surroundings. Mr. Karan also briefed the guests on the current performance and recent achievement of the Labasa mill that was officially opened for the 2020 crushing season last week.

With major refurbishment works completed at Rarawai mill as well as other mills, Mr. Karan uttered his expectation on less mill breakdown and expecting a good season in terms of improve sugar production. The Fiji Sugar Corporation is aiming of reducing TCTS to 9.9 this year compared to 10.9 in 2019. In his statement, the chief guest is expecting a further drop of TCTS from the current level forecast of 9.9 by FSC. Mr. Karan also asserted that the Ministry of Sugar Industry (MOSI) will closely tracking the TCTS level in this crushing season.

For this crushing season, it is expected that a total of 728,280 tonnes of cane will be harvested from Rarawai and Penang area as mentioned by the Permanent Secretary. Approximately 578,820 tonnes will be crushed in Rarawai to produce a total of 58,295 tonnes of sugar.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Karan also discussed on the government support to the industry. Mr. Karan stated that the government is in discussion with the government of India to assist in improving the rail system in Fiji. FSC has also deployed 23 trucks to cart cane in Tavua and Ba to the Rarawai mill. The Permanent Secretary appealed for better surveillance to the contractors engaged in cane access road upgrading to ensure the execution of quality work and minimizing the abuse of government funds.

As far as laborers for cane cutting is concerned, Mr. Karan stated the need to approach villages and groups and others who have lost job due to COVID-19 pandemic to undertake cane cutting and earn some income. Mr. Karan also stated that there is no confirmed decision at present on hiring the cane cutters from Vanuatu.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Karan assured the continuous support of the government and FSC to the sugar industry. The Permanent Secretary also thanked the Chief Executive Officer of FSC and the Board members of FSC for the great effort with high optimism for a good season and wished all the sugar industry stakeholders a prosperous and fruitful 2020 crushing season.