Rakiraki canegrowers have sent a petition to Prime Minister and Minister for Sugar Voreqe Bainimarama seeking an immediate supplementary payment of $10 per tonne and for the 2021 forecast price to be increased to $70 per tonne.
In the letter, the farmers said the forecast price of $54.36 per tonne announced recently for this year’s crop which resulted in a delivery payment of $32.61 (60 per cent of the forecast price) was “grossly inadequate” and would not cover the cost of harvesting and delivery which averaged $38 per tonne.
“We are in no position to meet the additional cost of around $6 per tonne from our pockets,” growers said.
“We request that the forecast price be increased to $70 per tonne with a delivery payment of $42 per tonne to enable farmers to harvest. Canefarmers are facing extreme hardship from the economic downturn brought on by the Covid pandemic and the restrictions and lockdowns imposed.”
The farmers said a $10 per tonne supplementary payment would equip them for the 2021 harvest season.
“We are in dire financial straits and need to be helped. We urge the Government and Fiji Sugar Corporation to deal expeditiously with the matters raised by us in the best interests of the industry.”
Questions emailed to the PM about the concerns raised by the growers remain unanswered.
