Farmers in Labasa are currently voicing concerns over the delay in receiving their sugarcane planting grants. During a recent visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, local farmers expressed their frustrations regarding the absence of these essential funds.
Farmers Vineshwar Prasad, Sunil Nair, Kamal Singh, and Parmeshwar Pillay highlighted that unlike last year, they have not yet received their grants, which they applied for between August and October and have been anxiously waiting for since. Despite the delay, they continue to diligently work on their farms, with Mr. Prasad noting productive growth on his four-acre plot.
One of the challenges faced by farmers is the lack of timely and clear communication from the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), leaving many reliant on informal updates. Mr. Nair stressed the importance of the FSC and the Ministry of Sugar verifying the farms promptly so that grants can be released.
Mr. Pillay, who has dedicated over 20 years to sugarcane farming, emphasized the need for support for the aging farmer population, as this business serves as their primary source of income.
In response to the farmers’ concerns, Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, recently returned from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and informed that the Ministry of Finance had indeed released the funds to the FSC. He clarified that the funds were released on November 12 and 18 and are currently being processed for farm verification. He also acknowledged that last year’s earlier fund releases had led to issues with germination, underscoring the need for thorough checks before disbursing the funds this year.
This situation emphasizes the importance of ensuring that farmers receive timely support so they can maintain their livelihoods and continue contributing to their communities. As these farmers await their grants, their perseverance and commitment to their craft remain commendable, and there is hope that the situation will soon improve, allowing them to thrive in their agricultural endeavors.
In summary, while the delay in grants is a concern, there is a coordinated effort toward resolving the issue, with recent actions taken indicating that the necessary funds are on their way, providing optimism for the farmers of Labasa.
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