Less than 10 days before the third instalment of the 2025 cane payment is due, sugarcane growers in the Western Division are calling for an earlier release, saying Tropical Cyclone Vaianu has left them struggling to recover.
Farmers between Ba and Sigatoka report flooded farms and flattened crops, with mounting costs adding to the pressure.
Malolo farmer Praveen Singh said many growers now face reduced harvests and added expenses.
“Some growers will most likely not be able to harvest what they wanted to harvest this year,” he said.
“Growers would have damaged houses and lorries. All of this means more cost.”
He warned that without cost controls, any increase in cane price could trigger higher charges from contractors.
“If we ask for more money then the cycle will never end,” he said.
Last week, Government confirmed a $10.91 payment for April 20, but calls to bring the date forward remain unanswered.
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj said farmers were facing a “dual crisis” of natural disaster and delayed support.
“The delay… is a direct threat to the survival of our farming families,” he said.
He urged authorities to fast-track payments and ease loan deductions, saying farmers “cannot wait” as recovery costs mount.
