THE National Farmers Union has called on Government to provide social relief payment of $10 per tonne to cane growers affected by the current prolonged dry spell.
NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry made the call as the impact of the current dry conditions continue to affect Fiji’s agriculture sector.
He said the additional $10 should be added to the final cane payment of $4.12.
“The drought has resulted in a highly reduced cane crop for the 2026 season but figures are not available as these are no longer provided by FSC,” he said in a statement.
“The closure of the Lautoka Mill last Sunday (25 October) has put pressure on the Ba Mill which is now receiving cane from the Lautoka Mill area.
“The end of crush at the Rarawai Mill on 28 October will leave some 20,000 tonnes of cane unharvested.
“The Union calls upon the Sugar Ministry to extend the crush at the Rarawai Mill until the first week-end of November to accommodate all affected.”
