MISCHIEF makers involved in the burning of sugar cane will be taken to task, says Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan.
Speaking to this newspaper from Tuvalu, he said the spike in cane fires over the past week was a cause for concern because of the impact on the industry as a whole.
“I will be raising this issue with the Commissioner of Police upon my return because it is not good for our sugar quality and the additional costs incurred by all stakeholders when this happens,” he said.
Sugar Cane Growers Council CEO Sundresh Chetty said it was very unusual to have so many farms going up in flames with only 30 per cent of the crop harvested.
“This normally happens at the tail end of the season when most of the crop has been cut and processed and burning is done to expedite the harvest of any remaining cane,” he said.
Mr Chetty said about 900 tonnes were burnt in Ellington sector recently and three farms in Nanuku sector also went up in flames.
“People should take precautions, this will affect sugar quality and this impacts on our sugar markets.
“Growers incur additional expenses because they have to seek outside help to get their cane harvested and transported to the mill. The Fiji Sugar Corporation also incurs additional costs because burnt cane produces impurities like dextran and this attracts penalties from buyers.”
