AS international sugar delegates gather in Nadi to discuss policies to promote trade development and growth at the start of the 2012 Asia Pacific Sugar Conference today, local industry stakeholders continue to urge farmers to harvest and transport their cane consistently.
The call comes in light of issues with sugarcane supply to most mills.
At the same time, however, Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Vaniqi said the problem of supply was not unique to Fiji and growers chosen to attend the three-day talks in Nadi would get a unique opportunity to hear of the situation faced by other sugar-producing countries.
Speaking at Sugar House in Lautoka last week, he said the prevailing weather conditions were optimum for high sugar content and harvesting.
"Everything is in the farmers' favour," he said.
"The weather, apart from a few showers here and there, has been very favourable and the cool nights and warm days have seen a vast improvement in sugar content in standing crop.
"We are urging farmers to please harvest and transport cane consistently to ensure the mills are kept running and we do not have stop-starts which we are currently experiencing."
One hundred and fifty local delegates are expected to participate in the conference at the Westin Denarau, of which 70 will be local farmers.
The last conference that was held in the country was hosted at Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa in 1997.