Cane crushing to end soon

from w
It's a pity that some farmers cannot harvest their cane because the mill is closing too soon. Surely they are entitled to have their cane cut and sent to the mill after a year's work.

Extension to crushing sought

Serafina Silaitoga
Wednesday, October 21, 2015

THE crushing season in Labasa ends this Saturday following the announcement yesterday by the Sugar Industry Tribunal.

"We have announced a date for this Saturday and we have done our part," Tribunal Commissioner Timothy Brown said.

"If there is a need to extend the season then it is between the FSC and the Sugar Cane Grower's Council.

"We won't be part of that discussion because we have played our part in announcing a date."

Questions sent to FSC executive chairman Abdul Khan remained unanswered. Efforts made to contact him via phone calls also proved futile.

Council chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty said they had asked FSC for an extension.

"We are already in discussion with the ministry asking them for an extension to the season in Labasa. We have received calls from farmers in the North asking that the season be extended so they can harvest their crops," he said.

"That is why we are travelling to Labasa tomorrow (today) to see how much crops are left and meet with the mill management to discuss the possibility of an extension to the season."

Mr Chetty said consideration should be given to the farmers because they had invested a lot in their farms.

"After our meeting, we can decide whether an extension will be given for the season," he said.

The Labasa mill has so far crushed 551,000 tonnes of cane and produced 66,500 tonnes of sugar.

-----------------
The latest -  they have extended the crushing season  - by three days!