Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to explain the delay in the third cane payment, which was due before March 31.
Mr Chaudhry said farmers had been waiting for weeks without any official update.
“Prime Minister Rabuka must inform the nation’s cane farmers why they have not been paid their third cane payment,” he said.
“To this date, neither the FSC nor the Sugar Ministry has made a statement on the issue… why the silence?”
He questioned the lack of transparency, including the absence of data on cane crushed and sugar produced by the three mills.
“Just what is being hidden from the farmers and the people of Fiji?” Mr Chaudhry asked.
The former prime minister said farmers were owed millions in outstanding payments, including replanting grants, productivity incentives and lease-related premiums.
“Nonetheless, they have been waiting patiently while slogging it out. It’s time now to settle their dues,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry noted that while the Government had guaranteed a minimum cane price of $85 per tonne, farmers had so far only received $57.13, leaving a balance of $27.87.
“Why can’t the remaining payments be made using this money?” he said.
He warned against taking farmers for granted and called for direct engagement with industry stakeholders.
“The farmers deserve more respect,” Mr Chaudhry said, urging Government to convene the long-promised all-industry conference to address ongoing concerns.
