The allocation of quotas to farmers delivering cane to the lone sugar mill on Viti Levu is not clear, says Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu.
In Parliament yesterday, Mr Seruiratu raised an urgent question about the ability of the Lautoka Sugar Mill to take on extra cane from farms between Rakiraki and Ba following the closure of the Rarawai Sugar Mill.
Mr Seruiratu said the quota (of two loads per farm) implemented by the Fiji Sugar Corporation to manage the traffic at the Lautoka Sugar Mill was creating confusion among farmers.
“It seems that nothing is coming from FSC about the allocation of quotas,” he said.
“There are farmers in Rarawai, Penang, Sigatoka, Tavua and the Lautoka area that are concerned about this.
“The allocation of quotas is not clear to the farmers.”
Mr Seruiratu also highlighted grower concerns about the fines imposed on farmers delivering burnt cane to the mill.
In response, Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh said for the burnt cane they were considering some concessions to the farmers.
“As for the quota we only have one mill now and they are all coming from all districts and we want to increase the quota.
“But the mill has to have the ability to crush the cane coming in.
“And definitely the FSC team is trying to assess the concerns of the farmers.”
