The increase in the rate of mechanical harvesters from $17.50 to $20.61 per tonne fully justifies growers’ request that the minimum guaranteed price of cane to be raised to $100 a tonne.
This call has been made by the General Secretary of the National Farmers Union, Mahendra Chaudhry who says the $3.11 a tonne hike in the rate will add significantly to the overall cost of harvesting for the cane farmers.
He says lorry and tractor trailer operators have also been agitating for an increase in the rate of haulage due to the escalating cost of fuel.
Chaudhry says there is every likelihood of an increase being granted, which will simply add to the cost to the farmer.
He says the government should understand that these higher costs are being imposed on the growers and are beyond their control.
We have sent questions to the Prime Minister and Minister for Sugar, Voreqe Bainimarama and the Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Yogesh Karan. They are yet to respond.
