Opposition MP Viam Pillay has criticised the Government and the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) over what he claims is a shortfall in cane payments to farmers for the 2025 season.
In a statement, Mr Pillay said growers had been promised a guaranteed price they could rely on, but actual payouts tell a different story.
“You cannot feed a family on a percentage of a promise,” he said.
Mr Pillay outlined the payment breakdown, with a total of $79.97 per tonne, falling short of the $85 per tonne guarantee previously set under the FijiFirst government.
“The math is simple… the current payout of $79.97 leaves a shortfall of $5.03 against that old guarantee alone,” he said.
He further claimed that a $110 guaranteed price promised after the 2022 elections had not materialised, arguing that higher payments in recent seasons were driven by global sugar prices rather than government support.
“That money didn’t come from the government’s pocket; it came from the market,” Mr Pillay said.
The opposition MP also raised concerns over unpaid bonuses, including $3 per tonne for manual harvesting and $5 per tonne for increased production, as well as outstanding payments for stand-over cane.
“Farmers have already paid for their fuel, their fertilizer, and their labor upfront at record-high prices. They have delivered the cane. So why is their money being held back?” he questioned.
Mr Pillay said the release of delayed payments should not be seen as an achievement.
“Releasing overdue money is the bare minimum. Our farmers are the backbone of this country and they deserve the survival price they were promised, not a percentage of the truth,” he said.
He called on authorities to honour their commitments and settle outstanding payments.
“Stop the games. Pay the farmers what is owed.”
