CANE farmers across Fiji have expressed mixed reactions to the $10.91 per tonne cane payment confirmed by the Sugar Industry Tribunal, set for payout on April 20.
Tribunal registrar Timothy Brown said the Fiji Sugar Corporation would contribute $0.84 per tonne, while the Government adds $10.07.
While a majority welcomed the announcement, others were wary that the low payment would not be enough to pay off their debts.
Ba farmer Arvind Singh said it was good news for farmers who had been waiting for more than a week for their income.
“It is something,” Mr Singh said.
“And I have to thank the Government for hearing the cries of the farmers.
“We had been left with so many questions and was in the dark about our money.”
He said FSC, however, should explain why they were only paying 84 cents per tonne to farmers.
Farmer and lorry driver Atish Kumar said the growers needed money and would accept any amount that was above $10.
“Everybody needs money and this is a welcome relief for most of the growers,” said Mr Kumar.
“We want the farmers to continue with their preparation. We don’t want them completely stuck because they have no money at all.
On the other hand, Moto sector farmer Arun Sharma believed the top up from government was a vote buying tactic.
“The only growers who are happy here are the ones who did not harvest any cane last year because they are not bothered about getting paid or not,” Mr Sharma said.
“They are preparing their cane for the next season. For us we went through numerous delays and having to keep labourers around meaning we paid more out of our pocket.
“Government stepping in on their last year in government is just them trying to get people’s support.
“We want genuine responses from everyone. From FSC, from the Sugar Cane Growers Council and from government. If they really cared about the growers this would not be happening to us every year.”
In a statement, Mr Brown said the net share of the sugarcane growers cane proceeds received as of February 28, 2026, was $71,340,930.
“This is equivalent to $57.97 per tonne of cane,” he said.
“The Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd has advised that they will pay out $0.84 per tonne of cane being the third cane payment bringing the total amount to $57.97 per tonne of cane for the 2025 cane payment.
“Following a meeting between Government and the Sugar Industry stakeholders the government has agreed to top up the third cane payment by $10.07 bring the total payout for the third cane payment to $10.91. Government has also advised that the process to securing the additional funding will be completed by April 20, 2026.”
