Farmers demoralised by the $54.36 per tonne forecast cane payment for the 2021 season say the only way they will accept it is if the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) cuts and carts their cane for them.
“The Fiji Sugar Corporation should harvest and cart the sugar cane crop to its mills and pay us the forecast price of $54.36 per tonne after calculating the total tonnage,” said Tavua grower and former Sugar Cane Growers Council chairman Narendra Reddy.
He made the comment after the Sugar Industry Tribunal announced the forecast price of $54.36 per tonne of cane and delivery payment of $32.61 – paid to growers after harvesting and delivery of cane to the mills.
Mr Reddy said the delivery payment was simply not sufficient to cover the cost of harvesting and delivery costs.
“It costs a grower in Tavua an average of $40 per tonne to harvest and deliver a tonne of cane to the Rarawai mill.
“It will cost more for growers in mill areas like Sigatoka supplying cane to Lautoka mill and Seaqaqa to Labasa mill.
“This cost includes hiring of canecutters, providing them food and basic needs, purchasing their knives and delivery charges either for tractor/trailer or lorries, depending on mode of transportation.
“The best thing is for FSC to harvest and deliver cane from our farms to the mills and pay us the forecast price of $54.36 per tonne based on the tonnage.”
Questions sent to FSC chief executive officer Bhan Pratap Singh last Thursday and again yesterday on the comments made by Mr Reddy remain unanswered when this edition went to press last night.
