The National Farmers Union has called on canefarmers to defer harvesting until after the 2021-2022 National Budget announcement on July 16.
Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said farmers should wait to see whether assurances from government parliamentarians, ministers and industry officials that the upcoming budget would provide funds to meet their demands would actually be fulfilled.
He claimed officials had been going around putting pressure on farmers to harvest.
“Farmers must exercise caution and let them first front up with the money,” the former prime minister said.
“Farmers have not forgotten that the Government tried unsuccessfully in the 2020-2021 Budget last year to reduce the government guaranteed minimum price from $85 to $70 per tonne.
“It was reinstated by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama only after strong protests from the NFU and Opposition parties.”
Mr Chaudhry said farmers were still owed $15 per tonne for last year’s crop.
“They want it paid now and they are prepared to wait for two weeks to see whether Mr (Aiyaz) Sayed-Khaiyum allocates the money for it and for the extension of the guaranteed minimum price of $85 for the 2021 crop,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry said farmers were disappointed that Mr Bainimarama, as Sugar Minister, had not responded to written representations made to him since last April by NFU and canefarmers on this and other associated issues.
“That is not the way to treat farmers because they deserve to be recognised and treated with respect by someone they can look up to for help.”
Questions sent to Mr Bainimarama, Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum regarding the concerns raised by Mr Chaudhry and NFU yesterday remained unanswered when this edition went to press last night.
