AS many as 366 sugarcane growers in Koronubu, Ba, will have access to improved cane access roads thanks to a $3.755 million partnership between the European Union and Pacific Community’s (SPC) Rural Access Roads and Associated Infrastructure (RARAI) project.
In a press statement released yesterday, SPC said once work was completed, the upgrades on 54 roads would benefit as many as 366 growers and their families by reducing time and costs to transport cane between their farms and the Rarawai mill in Ba.
“This project tackles a key challenge for farmers, especially in the more remote areas of Fiji, by easing the transportation of sugar cane to the mills,” said Christoph Wagner, head of co-operation at the EU Delegation for the Pacific.
“This is an important element in the EU’s ongoing support to the sugar sector in Fiji. The project intends to deliver all-weather cane access roads through rehabilitation works, notably improvement of drainage systems.
“In addition, it will mean people will enjoy improved accessibility to basic facilities in terms of health, education, markets and public administration.”
SPC director general Dr Colin Tukuitonga said the SPC was proud to partner with the EU on the project.
“With upgrading works entering the final phase in Koronubu, the project continues to work closely with the Fiji Sugar Corporation and other pertinent partners to maintain the upgraded roads to acceptable standards over the long term, ultimately aiming to reduce transportation costs and time for canefarmers,” he said.
The RARAI project was a four-year $13m project implemented under the 2013 Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol (AMSP) Support to Sugarcane Industry Programme.
The project was conducted with the assistance of the FSC, Sugar Ministry and the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.
in trying to address transportation challenges for farmers.
The RARAI project runs from January 2015 to January 2019.
