OUTGOING Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh has rejected calls to compensate farmers for stand-over sugar cane, labelling it political.
The 2025 sugar season ended on Monday, leaving 85,000 tonnes of cane unharvested in the Western Division.
The National Farmers Union asked the Government and Fiji Sugar Corporation to stop the season at the Rarawai Mill because conditions were too hard for farmers. They also asked for $35 per tonne for the unharvested cane and a refund for penalties from burnt cane.
Mr Singh said he would not pay.
“The rules do not allow it,” he said.
“Even when the National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry was prime minister, growers asked for compensation and were told no.”
He said he had not received a letter from the union requesting compensation for farmers.
“I am still the minister until the 19th, yet he wrote to the incoming minister immediately after the Prime Minister’s announcement. Why should I reply if he’s not even writing to the correct minister.”
He claimed this call was made by Mr Chaudhry in his bid to win the next elections.
