Farmers in Labasa are currently facing delays in receiving their sugarcane planting grant. During a recent visit to Lajonia, Labasa, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica addressed this issue after listening to farmers’ concerns regarding the absence of their grants for this planting season. The farmers, including Vineshwar Prasad, Sunil Nair, Kamal Singh, and Parmeshwar Pillay, expressed their frustration over the situation, noting that they had applied for the grants between August and October but have yet to receive them.
Mr. Prasad shared that while they await the funding, they are continuing their farming activities and planting new crops. He stated that he has four acres of land where the crops are thriving. He mentioned that a Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) officer informed him the Ministry of Sugar had not yet released the grant.
Similarly, Mr. Nair, who farms on 3.5 acres, urged that both the FSC and the ministry should expedite the release of grants following farm inspections. He highlighted that many farmers lack education and depend on verbal updates, which can lead to misunderstandings.
Mr. Pillay, a seasoned sugarcane farmer with over 20 years of experience, pointed out the challenges faced by an aging farming population who rely on sugarcane farming as their primary income source. He emphasized the need for support to sustain their family businesses.
In response to the farmers’ concerns, Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh, who recently returned from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, shared that the Ministry of Finance released funds to the FSC on November 12 and 18. He noted that there would be thorough farm inspections before the funds could be disbursed, citing past issues with improper germination after previous grants were released prematurely.
While this situation is frustrating for farmers awaiting their grants, the ongoing dialogue between farmers and government officials signifies a commitment to resolving the issues at hand. The positive aspect is that the government is taking steps to ensure that funds are allocated effectively to support the local sugarcane farming community, ultimately helping to maintain their livelihood and contribute to the agricultural sector’s sustainability.
In summary, farmers in Labasa are currently waiting for their sugarcane planting grants, which have faced delays due to verification processes. However, there is hope as government officials are engaged in addressing these concerns with plans to disburse funds once inspections are completed.
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