DRASA sugarcane growers have voiced concerns about the effects of continuous rainfall over the past three weeks on their newly-planted crops.
Canegrower Mahendra Prasad said there were concerns that the constant rain had affected growth of new shoots and resulted in fertiliser loss.
"We are very worried that the continuous rain has already affected our new crops.
"Because when it rains for this long, the new shoots do not emerge and this could affect production for next year and the year after," Mr Prasad said.
"At the moment, we are trying to make sure our farms are drained of excess water to minimise the damage," he said.
The Sugar Cane Growers Council acting chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty said field surveys that were scheduled to be conducted this week had been temporarily postponed, pending fine weather.
"Our preliminary investigations have revealed that there are quite a number of water-logged farms, especially in low-lying areas in Lautoka.
"We have observed stagnant water in the fields and this is of some concern," Mr Chetty said.
"The only advice we can give growers right now is for excess water to be drained as soon as possible to minimise crop damage," he said.
Sugar industry stakeholders earlier revealed to this newspaper that continuous rain over a one month period could have an impact on new cane crops.
It has been raining continuously over the past three weeks in some parts of the Western Division.
Over the past two weeks, stakeholders unveiled plans to increase production in the country by 17 per cent from 41,000 hectares produced last year to 70,000ha by 2022.