National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says some farmers have raised concerns with him that the Fiji Sugar Corporation is yet to announce the final cane payment for 2017 as the announcement should have been made by today.
Prasad says the last payment took the price up to $81.10 a tonne after the top up of $6.30 and he says they believe it is critical that FSC tops up the payment.
He says they believe farmers should get a minimum payment of $1,000 before Diwali whether it comes from a top up or by a special allocation from FSC and the government.
Prasad says the farmers should get a good final payment not just for the upcoming festivities but they should have something before the first payment for 2018 next year.
He says farmers know that it has to be announced by today and the payment has to be made by tomorrow.
When Fijivillage contacted FSC about this issue, FSC said that as a custom FSC does not respond to third party comments.
It says however an announcement on the cane payment will be done this week where FSC will issue a media release.
