FARMERS owe the Fiji Development Bank approximately $7.8 million.
As a result, the bank has held under mortgage majority of the 807 accounts that are in arrears.
FDB chief executive officer Deve Toganivalu said that out of the 807 accounts, 724 were performing accounts to the value of $6.5 million.
These 724 accounts are customers who are making payments but the accounts remain in arrears.
Eighty-three accounts to the value of $1.37 million have been given demand notices. This happens after the bank fails to receive any payment at all from customers despite frequent reminders.
Out of the 83 accounts on demand notice, 79 accounts to the value of $1.35 million are on notice inclusive of mortgage to the bank.
Mr Toganivalu said out of the 724 performing accounts, 641 accounts to the value of $6.2 million had been given demand notice, inclusive of mortgage.
The oldest active or performing account dates back to July 7, 1983.
Mr Toganivalu said many cane and agricultural farmers had been with FDB for more than 30 years taking several loans over that period.
"The bank appreciates the difficulties all farmers operate under. We view each case individually on its merits and ensure that we facilitate as best as we can within the policies and procedures that govern the bank's operations," Mr Toganivalu said.
"As a development bank mandated to facilitate and stimulate the primary industries as well as other key sectors of the economy, no one is more attuned to the vagaries of sugar cane farming than we are," he said.
"We have the most flexible terms with respect to our farmers but with grace, there are limitations."
Permanent secretary for Sugar and FDB board director Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Vaniqi said arrangements for repayment of loan by farmers had been a bank practice over the years.
And while government would do its best to increase sugar production and cane farming activities, he said it was equally important for the loan agreement to be honoured.
"The situations and cases of farmers differ so we need to look at individual cases. But we will continue to work towards increasing sugar production and work with farmers in also increasing number of cane farms around the country," he said.