National Farmers Union General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry has rejected claims that sugarcane farmers are living off taxpayers, arguing instead that growers have been the victims of years of government neglect and poor policy decisions.
Addressing a meeting of farmers in Rakiraki yesterday, Chaudhry said it was the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), not farmers, that had benefited from substantial government financial support over the years.
“It is not the farmers who are living off taxpayers as claimed by the Sugar Minister. It is the Fiji Sugar Corporation,” Chaudhry said.
“Government has written off almost $1 billion in FSC debts in the last 20 years or so while farmers’ problems are being ignored. They are being criticised for wanting what is owed to them legitimately.”
Chaudhry told growers that they were the innocent victims of nearly two decades of government interference in the sugar industry and the failure of successive administrations to address its underlying problems.
He said the industry had been in steady decline for years despite significant taxpayer funding being directed to FSC.
“For two decades, the sugar industry has been in steady decline. These governments have poured money into FSC while failing to address its chronic operational failures,” he said.
“The mills continue to perform poorly, yet the executives responsible for this are not held accountable.”
Chaudhry also criticised reforms introduced during the Bainimarama administration, claiming they had marginalized growers and stripped them of avenues to raise grievances.
“That is why you are in this predicament today,” he told farmers.
He said the current Coalition Government had come into office promising to restore Sugar Cane Growers Council elections and revive the industry but had failed to deliver on those commitments.
“The current Coalition Government came into power promising to restore Growers Council elections and to revive the sugar industry. But in fact, have done nothing,” he said.
“It is now bent on killing the industry, criticising the growers for making legitimate demands just to survive.”
Chaudhry said farmers were also facing increasing pressure in securing land lease renewals, with many being asked to pay high premiums and goodwill payments.
He added that agricultural challenges extended beyond the sugar sector, citing concerns raised by farmers in Taveuni over crop theft.
“It’s not only the cane farmers who are being ignored. In Taveuni, farmers have for years complained of huge losses suffered by their crops being stolen. The Police are just turning a blind eye,” he said.
Calling on farmers to stand up for their rights, Chaudhry said growers were seeking fairness rather than special treatment.
“It is time for the farmers to wake up. You are not asking for favours. You want justice. You must be treated with respect.”
