The National Farmers Union is calling on the government to explain the recommendation made by Chinese consultants to operate only one sugar mill in Viti Levu.
The Union says these consultants were brought in earlier this year by the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, to assess the state of Fiji’s sugar industry.
Union General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry says the Sugar Industry Tribunal announced last week that crushing will start on 11th June at the Lautoka mill and 17th June at the Labasa mill.
He says farmers are asking why no date has been given for the start of crushing at the Rarawai mill, and they believe this is a quiet way of following the Chinese consultants’ recommendation.
He says cane farmers in the Tavua and Ra districts will suffer if the Rarawai mill does not open, as the Lautoka mill cannot handle the load on its own for long.
Chaudhry adds that FSC has not yet announced the forecast cane price for the 2025 season, and there is no information about the date or amount of the 4th cane payment.
He says farmers need the money now to prepare for the June harvest.
He also says most cane access roads are in very bad condition because pre-crush maintenance was delayed due to the late release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.
Chaudhry adds that the coming crushing season will be tough, with long waits to unload trucks at the Lautoka mill.
He says this will lead to more burnt cane, frequent mill stoppages, and less sugar being produced, causing big losses for the whole industry.
He says the future of the sugar industry is at risk, and any more setbacks could lead to its complete collapse.
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