SUGAR CANE GROWERS FUND LAUNCHES PRE-HARVESTING LOAN

Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) has launched its pre harvesting loans for 2020.

Cane harvesting is expected to start in June.

Growers may need to prepare for the harvest by repairing machinery, making advance payment to cane cutters and harvest gangs, as well as repair the harvesting camps.

The pre harvesting loan started from April 27 and ends on August 31,2020.

Growers will be able to get the loan at six per cent interest rate which is cheaper than commercial banks.

The growers can call in at any district office for assistance.

District loans officers will visit growers.

The fund plans to have a one-hour live stream on its Facebook page this month to get in touch with growers and find out more of their farming needs.

The date and time will be announced later.

The fund’s Facebook page has over 2000 followers.

The fund will consider other loan packages to support growers in their domestic needs.

The fund will look into loans for educational needs of children from families whose livelihood depends on the cane belt areas

Such loans will include funding for tablets and laptops as the school holidays are extended.

The fund will consider supplementary loans for subsistence farmers.

The fund approved 992 applications amounting to $2.72 million from January to April

2020.