Stop politicising the sugar industry.
This was the call made by Lautoka Cane Producers Association chairman Bala Dass who called out National Farmers Union national secretary Mahendra Chaudhry for trying to influence growers into not participating in the 2026 crushing season.
“The farmers are the biggest losers here if they do not harvest their cane,” said Mr Dass.
“Mr Chaudhry going around and having these meetings telling farmers not to harvest does not help anyone especially the growers.
“This is all part of his political campaign and trying to disrupt the industry.”
Mr Dass said genuine concerns by growers’ representatives should be taken directly to government and industry stakeholders.
“If you have legitimate issues to raise then you put together a proposal and take it to the relevant authorities.
“You don’t go telling growers to boycott and not harvest.”
The association chairman called on growers to start harvesting their cane.
“For me and my members I have advised them to start harvesting.
“A majority of them will have their sector meetings and by the end of this week they will submit their MOGA and start harvesting from either this week or next week.
“We don’t want to boycott because it takes away money from our pockets.
“Our main concern was the fuel and that has been addressed by government. The only issue left is the delivery payment. For a grower in Sigatoka, their harvest rate is $30 and the cartage rate is $30 so that comes to $60.
“The delivery payment a farmer will get is $45.
“That is not enough so we are asking growers to take it up with their sector officers and growers council to negotiate a payment of $55. At least that will bring them some relief.”
Questions sent to Sugar Industry Minister Tomasi Tunabuna on the issue of some growers refusing to harvest their cane remain unanswered.
