A bonus system to attract farmers
In an effort to retain and attract sugarcane farmers and increase sugar production, a bonus system was suggested during the National Sugar Sector Policy Consultations in Labasa yesterday.
Ravin Chand, a sugarcane farmer of Wainikoro informed the Fiji Sugar Corporation team, stakeholders and farmers at Wainikoro sector that there should be a bonus system.
“The industry can implement a policy, for example; if a farmer supplies a certain tones of cane to the mill then he should be awarded some bonus,” Mr Chand said.
“In this way firstly, the farmer will have some savings and can use it after the harvesting season when he has no job. “Secondly, he will be encouraged to plant more cane.
Thirdly, other people will see and try to use their ideal land to do sugar cane farming and hence, young farmers will be attracted and production of sugar will increase.” Minister for Lands and Minister Resources, Ashneel Sudhakar said this suggestion was great and they were now working towards such kind of policy so that they can retain farmers and bring back more farmers.
Meanwhile, during a consultation at Vunika, Labasa some questions were asked about management restructure of Fiji Sugar Corporation by former FSC employee, Subrail Goundar.
FSC chief operating officer, Navin Chandra stated: “Our structures should reflect our progressive strategy.
“Before 13 general managers used to report to CEO but this has been refined to only four. Finance team has been restructured to bring in efficiency and compliance.”
Mr Chandra confirmed that it is only speculation that there is additional headcount in finance team but is centralised structure where mill accounts team also reports to Chief Financial Officer.