CANE producer associations in the Western Division have lauded the EU’s $23 million aid package for the agriculture and sugar sectors as announced on Tuesday.

However, the two associations in the West say there needs to be transparency on how the funds are utilised.

Lautoka Cane Producers Association president Praveen Singh said funds allocated to assist growers should be dispersed through the cane producer associations.

“We have been recognised by the Government as the farmers’ representative organisations and this has been further cemented by the fact that we are the growers reps in the Council of Sugar Cane Growers,” Mr Singh said.

“And while we thank the EU for thinking of us, we hope that the funds allocated are given to us or through us because we know what the issues and priority areas are on the ground.”

Rarawai Penang Cane Producers Association president Girish Kumar also thanked the EU for the $23m direct aid.

“We just want transparency.Farmers are cautious because a lot of announcements have been made before but we as farmers have not received what was promised in the end,” Mr Kumar said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama signed an agreement for the $23m direct aid package with EU Commissioner for International Co-operation and Development, Neven Mimica, at the EU-ACP Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Tuesday.