The National Farmers Union (NFU) is pressing the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and the government for urgent clarity regarding compensation for cane farmers affected by unharvested standover cane following the conclusion of the 2025 crushing season. The season wrapped up on Monday, but an estimated 85,000 tonnes of cane remain in the fields across the Western Division, leaving many farming families facing a challenging year ahead with little to no income.
NFU General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry emphasized that they had previously written to both the Sugar Minister and FSC three weeks ago, advocating for an early cessation of crushing at the Rarawai Mill due to the harsh harvesting conditions that farmers were enduring. He reiterated the need for growers to be compensated for the standover cane, proposing a compensation rate of $35 per tonne. Chaudhry pointed out that the difficulties faced by farmers were not of their making, citing chaotic circumstances that led to significant financial losses attributed to milling failures, which were completely beyond their control.
Moreover, Chaudhry has also requested a refund of all penalties for burnt cane that have been deducted from farmers’ earnings in the Ba and Lautoka mill areas since September 17, the date a fire damaged the Rarawai Mill’s power station. The recent closure of this mill has heightened frustrations among growers, many of whom feel they were not given a fair chance to deliver their cane before milling ceased.
Farmers have expressed their discontent, stating that they received assurances their cane would be accepted, yet thousands of tonnes remain unharvested. The union is urgently seeking definitive answers from both the government and FSC about the provision of compensation for the unharvested cane from the 2025 season.
In the face of these challenges, there remains hope among farmers that their voices will be heard and that action will be taken to ensure their livelihoods are supported in this difficult time. As the community rallies for justice and fair compensation, it highlights the vital need for communication and accountability within the agricultural sector.
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