FORMER Fiji Sugar Corporation board member Arvind Singh has called for the suspension of penalties on growers affected by the Rarawai mill closure.
Mr Singh said farmers were in panic mode over the impending costs that would come from transferring their cane to the Lautoka mill.
“The main concern is the penalties on farmers delivering burnt cane,” said Mr Singh.
“If they don’t suspend it, the growers will not be able to meet the cost of paying penalties.
“So I am calling on the Government, the Minister of Sugar and FSC to suspend these penalties while we recover from this fire.”
Mr Singh also suggested the final cane payment of the year should be brought forward.
“The October cane payment should be paid this month. We cannot wait for weeks to get that payment because right now the farmers are worried about paying their labourers who will be waiting for the cane trucks stuck in Lautoka to cut the rest of the cane.
“Who will pay for their food while they wait? It will have to be the farmers.
“So, we need the Ministry of Sugar to make these decisions as soon as possible to help the affected farmers.”
Mr Singh said some farmers between Rakiraki and Ba had yet to harvest their crop.
“Some farmers have not even cut a single stick from their cane farm.
“They were waiting for cutters from other farms to finish before coming to the next cane farm, but all of that is now on hold.”
Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
