Cane price ‘a joke’
A PROMINENT Nadi canefarmer says the $10.31 per tonne fourth cane payment for the 2020 season and $54.36 forecast price for this year’s crop was “a joke”.
Arvind Singh also said the uncertainty surrounding the commencement of a new cane harvesting season was worrying.
“Because they pushed back the start date from June 4 to June 30, the rainy weather conditions we experience in the latter parts of the season will affect every cane grower,” the 51-year-old said.
“We will not be able to cart harvested cane lying in the fields to the Lautoka mill on time.
“The cane access roads get damaged during heavy rainfall further adding to farmers’ woes.
“The labour costs increase significantly.”
The Gang 16 Naboutini Sardar said instead of the 2020 fourth cane payment of $10.31, growers should have at least received close to $20 per tonne.
“Farmers will have to fork money out from their own pockets to prepare for the new harvesting season.
“Farmers in my gang pay $34 per tonne for harvesting cane.”
Mr Singh said growers were very dis-satisfied with the $54.36 forecast price per tonne of cane for 2021.
“We should have got $85 per tonne of cane, if not $100.”
He said the seven members of his gang were expecting a harvest this year of close to 1500 tonnes.
Questions sent via electronic mail to Fiji Sugar Corporation chief executive officer Bhan Pratap Singh regarding the issues highlighted by Mr Singh remained unanswered.