The impact of the prolonged dry weather is being felt by farmers living in the cane belt areas.

Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive Sundresh Chetty says the little rain received in the past weeks in not good enough for the cane industry.

“We have had a meeting with the director of the Fiji Met Services last week where we have found out that these dry conditions will continue and we are likely to get below average rain from here to the end of the year.”

Chetty says due to the dry weather the cane re-planting program has been suspended.

Farmers have also been told to retain the ration crops in their field.

An advisory has been sent to farmers to first harvest canes that have been affected by the drought.