We are not saying all middlemen are bad but some are using farmers’ struggles to make big profits and this must stop.
This has been highlighted by Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu who says our farmers do not work for fun - they plant in the heat, in the rain, and even when they are sick because that is how they feed their families.
He says they borrow money for fuel, fertilizer, and food, just to keep going but when it is time to sell, many of them feel powerless.
Rayalu says they wait for middlemen who come with cash, but offer very low prices and some farmers say ‘yes’ because they are desperate.
He says they need money to buy groceries, pay electricity bills, or cover transport costs for their children.
The Minister says meanwhile, that same produce is sold in the market for two or three times more and this is not fair.
He is urging people to respect the people who feed us, give them fair prices, talk to them with respect and do not take advantage of their hard work.
Rayalu adds if we want a better Fiji, we must start by being honest and fair with our farmers.
