FARMERS will only be able to manage the operational costs of the sugar industry if the Government takes steps to restore an upgraded cane carting railway system, says Tagitagi, Tavua farmer Umesh Chandra.
He said any restoration of the railway system would also require urgent upgrading of ageing rail infrastructure.
Mr Chandra said lorry carting initially cost about $17 per tonne (before FCCC-approved increases), while rail transport cost about $2.50 per tonne, making it a far more cost-effective option for grassroots farmers.
He said the rail option could save him around $8 to $9 per tonne.
From his 22-acre farm, Mr Chandra said about 150 tonnes of standing cane from last year remained unharvested due to high lorry cartage costs.
“We don’t have a single cent left, we are working in the field so how can we make money,” he said.
He said rail transport, though limited to about three to four tonnes per trip, was still more viable than hiring six to seven labourers to load 18 to 20 tonnes onto a lorry.
Mr Chandra said labour costs combined with increased lorry cartage rates left farmers with little to no profit from their income.
