15 Jul 2015

Fiji cane growers pleaded to take care following fiery drought conditions.

2:31 pm on 15 July 2015

The Fiji Cane Growers Council has set up fire task forces and is encouraging farmers to take all means necessary to prevent fires due to drought conditions.

Its chief executive, Sandresh Chetti, says about two-and-a-half-thousand tonnes of cane have been lost because of fire before the mills opened.

He says the drought is taking its toll but it is still too early to tell the extent of the impact on crop yields.

An outbreak of suspected arson as well as accidental fires have the council begging farmers to be careful.

"We have been sending advice to the farmers and have been working very closely with the Fiji police department and we have formed some task forces in some notorious areas where fire usually occurs. And also with these prevailing drought conditions the fire spreads very fast so we are pleading with the farmers to keep their farms clean and prevent all sorts of fires."

Sandresh Chetti says burnt cane can still be delivered to the mill within a certain time frame.

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Photo: RNZ

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