Extra cash to help farmers efforts in rehab: Council
The second cane payment for 2020 season is being paid $12.83 per tonne to all growers who harvested cane in 2020 season, the Sugarcane Growers Council said. Considering, the severe damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Yasa to the Vanua Levu farmers, the council’s request to recover 50 per cent of all deductibles - such as fertiliser and land rental, due in this second payment and balance - shall be recovered from the subsequent cane payments, the council said.
The motion was supported by Ministry of Sugar and stakeholders, council chief executive officer, Vimal Dutt, said.
The 50 per cent deduction methodology was carefully adapted, keeping in mind growers commitments, he said.
In October last year, payment was paid to growers without fertiliser deductions.
“Also, we need to be careful, whilst we are still in the cyclone season,” Mr Dutt said.
“Growers with loan commitments are recommended to consult
their lenders.”
He said it had communicated to Sugar Cane Growers Fund and the Fiji Development Bank matters concerning deduction options.
Mr Dutt said the move was a bid to ensure growers were able to receive extra cash to meet rehabilitation expenses.
The stakeholders were aware of certain extreme cases, where cane crops were completely damaged by salt water intrusion, resulting in almost no cane for this season, he said.
Normal deductions will apply for Viti Levu growers, he said. Growers are advised to manage their cash flow wisely and stay connected, while the industry works on rehabilitation strategies for Labasa growers who
were affected by TC Yasa, Mr Dutt said.