Farmers in Labasa are expressing frustration over the delay in receiving their sugarcane planting grants. During a recent visit from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, farmers shared their concerns about the lack of funding compared to the previous year.
Farmers Vineshwar Prasad, Sunil Nair, Kamal Singh, and Parmeshwar Pillay reported that they submitted their grant applications between August and October but have yet to receive any assistance. Despite the financial uncertainty, they remain committed to their farming activities, continuing to plant new crops following harvest. Mr. Prasad mentioned that he was informed by an officer at the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) that the Ministry of Sugar had not yet released the grants.
Mr. Nair, who has planted sugarcane on his 3.5-acre land, emphasized the importance of timely grant releases, urging the FSC and the ministry to expedite the funding process. He noted that many farmers lack formal education and often rely on verbal communication regarding their grants. Mr. Pillay, a seasoned sugarcane farmer with over 20 years of experience, highlighted the urgency of supporting an aging farming population who depend on sugarcane farming as their primary source of income.
Amidst these concerns, Minister Charan Jeath Singh, back from the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, stated that the Ministry of Finance had indeed released funds that were forwarded to the FSC last week. He explained that funds were disbursed on November 12 and 18 and that the FSC is currently in the process of verifying the farmers’ applications. Mr. Singh acknowledged that last year’s early fund releases resulted in poor planting outcomes and stressed the importance of thorough application checks before any funding is distributed.
This situation reflects the challenges faced by farmers in the region, underscoring the critical need for efficient processes to support local agriculture. While the delays are disappointing, there is hope that the government’s commitment to resolving these issues will strengthen the farming community and ensure better outcomes in the future.
In summary, the timely release of grants is essential for farmers, and the government’s actions toward verifying applications could lead to more organized and fruitful planting seasons ahead.
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