Women farmers share issues in industry

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(L-R) Vesiaru Sector farmers Pushpa Wati, Ashika Narayan and Saraswati at the National Sugar Industry Policy consultations in Ba. Picture: REPEKA NASIKO

TWO women sugarcane growers say female led farms are often disadvantaged and ignored by an industry that is dominated by males.

Speaking at the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation, Pushpa Wati and Ashika Narayan of Veisaru, Ba, pleaded with the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Ministry of Sugar Industry for assistance, citing instances when they were overlooked or ignored because of their gender.

The mother and daughter team said they had problems when it came to sharing labourers among the gang they belonged to.

“It’s very hard for us especially when we only have two people running the farm,” Ms Wati said.

“And when the farm is run by two women it’s even worse because we are not taken seriously. I’m sorry to say this, but even in our gang meetings no one takes us seriously.

“When we need labourers to come and harvest at our farm, most of them don’t turn up.

“We pay the labourers in advance at times and most of them take the money and run away.

“That is only a few of the difficulties that we face as women farmers and it’s very hard because we are already at a disadvantage.”

She added the FSC and the ministry should have a special grant or assistance for farms operated by women.

In response, FSC chief executive officer Graham Clark said they were working on providing help for farmers in need.

“What we are trying to come up with is a policy that assists farmers in need,” he said.

“What we do have is something that we are going to launch soon and that is our drive to grow more cane.

“We have done the co-operatives and the joint ventures but we also have a facility that manages the farm as well.

“We can manage the farm for you and help you. We won’t charge you massive fees like that so it will benefit you.”

He said the new concept would be introduced this year.

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