SUNBIZ

FSC Secures Land In Bua; Planting To Start This Month

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has secured 300 hectares of flat land at Nasarawaqa in Bua and will begin planting cane on it from this month. This was confirmed by
05 Sep 2018 11:08
FSC Secures Land In Bua; Planting To Start This Month
Fiji Sugar Corporation chief operating officer Navin Chandra at Labasa mill on June 19,2018. Photo:Shratika Naidu

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has secured 300 hectares of flat land at Nasarawaqa in Bua and will begin planting cane on it from this month.

This was confirmed by FSC’s chief operating officer Navin Chandra during a visit to Labasa mill.

He said the acquisition of 1,800 hectares of land around the country was being negotiated or in the finalising stage of getting land leases from landowners.

“There is quite substantial land available for us in Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Labasa,” Mr Chandra said.

“As for the land in Bua we will start ploughing this month and plant cane soon.

“We will organise contractors or our staff to work on this farm.

“We have the equipment available and trucks will be coming soon.

“Water is available and we could do good irrigation.”

Distance

Mr Chandra said the distance with regards to delivery of cane from Bua to Labasa mill would not be an issue.

“Distance will not be a barrier as we have good accessibility and good roads,” Mr Chandra said.

“There is a farmer by the name Mohammed Tahir further beyond the land we got in Bua who has delivered cane to the mill this year.

“It is probably the same distance from Sigatoka to Lautoka mill.”

Mr Chandra said new and innovative ideas were needed in the industry.

“In the industry what we need to do is to unlock some things in our mind,” he said.

“The opportunities are endless out there but sometimes we get filters in our brain that tell us we can’t do it.”

He said it was important to use flat land for planting because of mechanised harvesting.

Working with landowners

Corporation also plans to work closely with landowners and provide them training, Mr Chandra said.

“We want to work with the landowners as high interest has been shown by them,” he said.

“At the end of the day we want to also equip the landowners and take care of the farm so that this can be a training ground for them.

“This will be a good opportunity as well for the landowners who also wish to work on the farm with us.

“It’s not only the profit coming from the sale of cane but also good for them, instead of going to town or Suva they can earn more money toiling their own land.”

Feedback:  shratikan@fijisun.com.fj



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