SUGAR industry stakeholders will hold a series of meetings this week with more than 10,000 cane growers.
Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty said the meetings on awareness and consultation will be held with farmers from 38 cane growing sectors.
He said issues discussed would include the sugar strategic action plan prepared by industry stakeholders.
"There are several groups that will talk with growers on how to improve cane production, better extension services, harvesting and transportation issues, milling issues and the introduction of new cane payment for next season," said Mr Chetty.
"At the moment farmers are paid according to the cane tonnage but we are looking at the new payment mode which is through the quality of the cane.
"Growers will first be educated on the new payment system before the implementation."
Mr Chetty said farmers would also be requested to focus on intercropping.
He said this would allow them to fully utilise their land and to also maximise the value of their lands.
"We are advising farmers to do inter cropping as cane is resilience cropping and we also want farmers to have intercropping to supplement their income.
"We also want to bring back the confidence of the farmers with the introduction of mechanisation to boost the industry.
"At the moment we have 15,000 registered growers and we are hoping to register some new farmers for the next crushing season.
"The week-long seminar will boost farmers' confidence in the sugar industry that will in turn increase productivity and benefit the economy as a whole," he said.
The program will start at Cuvu and Olosara sectors next Monday.