The National Farmers Union says the forecast price of $54.36 for this year’s crop with delivery payment at $32.61 is grossly inadequate and will not cover the cost of harvesting and delivery which averages around $38 per tonne.
General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry says the farmers are in no position to meet the additional cost of around $6 per tonne from their pockets and the forecast price should be increased to $70 per tonne with a delivery payment of $42, if farmers are to harvest.
Chaudhry says the farmers have not received the full payment for last year’s crop and are being ordered to deliver this year’s crop at a loss.
He further says their call for a supplementary payment of $10 per tonne to adequately equip them for the harvest remains unanswered and so does their request for the extension of the minimum guaranteed price of $85 per tonne.
Chaudhry adds the farmers are in dire financial straits and need to be helped and a supplementary payment of $10 per tonne from the $15 owed to them for last year’s crop should be made without delay and before the harvest.
He says they wrote on these issues to FSC and the Sugar Ministry on 1st April and again on 22nd April, requesting that these matters be finalized before the commencement of the harvest but that was not done.
Chaudhry says it is irresponsible, insensitive and nothing short of bullying to force the cane farmers of Labasa to harvest their cane from 15th June.
He adds they urge the government and FSC to take the matters raised by the farmers seriously in the best interests of the industry.
We have sent questions to the Permanent Secretary of Sugar, FSC and Sugar Cane Growers Council and are awaiting their response.
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