National Farmers Union (NFU) general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry has urged cane farmers to unite and stand up for their rights, as he accused the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) of delaying the milling of cane at the Rarawai Mill.
Mr Chaudhry said FSC kept the mill closed on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December despite strong cane supply, forcing more than 60 trucks to wait until Monday.
He said the decision prevented other laden trucks from entering the mill and further slowed the crushing program, even though the industry is already facing an “emergency” in the Ra, Tavua and Ba areas.
The Rarawai Mill was shut for almost three months because of fire damage, and more than 100,000 tonnes of cane still remain to be crushed.
Mr Chaudhry said farmers are losing confidence as time runs out.
He questioned whether the government’s promise that “every stick of cane will be crushed” will be honoured, warning that many farmers risk losing a year’s work and investment if their cane is left standing when the season ends.
“Farmers must unite to protect themselves from exploitation,” he said, adding that the Sugar Ministry and the Sugar Cane Growers Council should not remain silent while farmers struggle
