The Minister for Sugar and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh, has reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring sugarcane farmers receive fair compensation for their crops following discontent regarding recent payment levels. The third cane payment has been set at $12.22 per ton, which has met with criticism from farmers and political figures who argue it’s inadequate.
In response to these concerns, Singh emphasized that the provided payment aligns with the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and Ministry of Sugar’s regulations, and he noted that the current payment mirrors the average of the past seven years, which was approximately $12.90 per ton—not including any government top-ups. Singh reminded stakeholders that the process for determining 2024 crop payments is still ongoing.
He called for patience from farmers as additional financial support is being planned and mentioned the historical context of payments, stating that under the Coalition Government, sugarcane payments have reached record total levels of $91.38 per ton in 2022 and $105.08 per ton in 2023. In Singh’s view, some of the discontent may be politically motivated, aimed at portraying a negative image of the current government.
Farmers, such as Jagdish Sami from Seaqaqa, have expressed disappointment, highlighting that low payments severely affect their ability to support their families, especially with debts to pay. Some farmers are concerned that insufficient income will hinder festive celebrations, affecting communities during significant cultural events.
Reinforcing previous discussions regarding sugarcane payments, similar articles have covered ongoing frustrations among farmers regarding their financial situation, especially in light of rising operational costs exacerbated by economic pressures and climate challenges. Comments from industry representatives, such as Vimal Dutt, CEO of the Sugar Cane Growers Council, acknowledge these financial strains while pointing towards a need for improved production levels and sustainability practices to enhance farmers’ long-term incomes.
Overall, there is cautious optimism about the future of Fiji’s sugarcane sector, with potential for growth through sustained governmental support and initiatives aimed at improving crop yields and farmer livelihoods. Promising measures are in place to further incentivize productivity, which could lead to a more stable financial future for farmers as they adapt to ongoing challenges.
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