Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says despite Government revenue plummeting, their full support to cane growers has pressed ahead.
While speaking during the Growers Field Day in Tunalia, Nadi, Bainimarama says he will always speak plainly with the cane growers, good news or bad, and he will always give it to them straight.
He says he will never make a promise he is not prepared to deliver and he will never pretend things are anything other than what they are.
Bainimarama adds things today are very, very tough and the world economy is on its knees.
He says the guaranteed price of $85 per tonne will be paid to farmers by the close of the season, as promised.
Bainimarama says they are also easing cost burden by subsidising fertilizer and weedicide, upgrading cane roads, covering cane cartage costs and they are also investing in mechanization.
He says nearly $50 million direct Government assistance has already been distributed – and more is on the way.
Bainimarama adds the biggest mistake we can make at this moment would be to pretend the Government has every answer to every problem this pandemic has caused.
[Image: Office of the Prime Minister]
