National Farmers Union (NFU) general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry has called on cane farmers to band together and advocate for their rights amid rising concerns over the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) handling of the milling process at the Rarawai Mill. He criticized the FSC for keeping the mill closed on Saturday, December 27, and Sunday, December 28, despite a robust supply of cane, leading to over 60 trucks being forced to wait until Monday to unload their loads.
According to Mr. Chaudhry, this decision hindered the operations further by preventing additional trucks from accessing the mill, exacerbating an already critical situation for the sugar industry, particularly in the Ra, Tavua, and Ba regions, which are already facing an “emergency.” The Rarawai Mill had previously been shut down for nearly three months due to fire damage, leaving over 100,000 tonnes of cane still to be processed.
Mr. Chaudhry also expressed concerns about the diminishing confidence of farmers as the crushing season nears its end. He raised doubts about the government’s assurance that “every stick of cane will be crushed,” indicating that many farmers could risk losing their hard-earned investments if their crop remains unprocessed once the season concludes.
He emphasized the need for farmers to unite to shield themselves from potential exploitation, urging the Sugar Ministry and the Sugar Cane Growers Council to speak up in defense of farmers facing these challenges. This call to action highlights the pressing need for collaboration in the face of industry adversities and affirms the importance of farmers’ rights.
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