The President of the National Federation Party (NFP), Parmod Chand, has publicly challenged Mahendra Chaudhry, the General Secretary of the National Farmers Union (NFU), to provide solid proof of his claims regarding promises made to sugarcane growers. This confrontation follows Chaudhry’s demand for an apology from the NFP concerning what he describes as lies told to cane growers.
Chand refuted Chaudhry’s allegations, asserting that the evidence Chaudhry claims to have provided to the Speaker of Parliament about a supposed promise of $110 per tonne for sugarcane during the elections does not exist. He emphasized that no such evidence was presented during parliamentary sessions, particularly highlighting discrepancies in the exact dates when statements were made.
Chand expressed discontent with Chaudhry’s reliance on fellow MP Praveen Bala and criticized the integrity of the claims made about the NFP’s commitments. He argued that the record shows that the NFP has historically supported cane growers and that current payments have consistently exceeded prior guarantees established by previous administrations.
In contrast, Chaudhry maintained that many farmers believe in the promises the NFP purportedly made and challenged Chand to reconsider who is genuinely being dishonest. This back-and-forth highlights the ongoing tensions prevalent in Fijian politics surrounding agricultural issues, with the sugar industry playing a central role in this discourse.
Recent articles reflect a growing dissatisfaction among cane farmers about current payment rates, with many criticizing the announced rate of $12.23 per tonne for the 2024 harvest as unacceptable. This sentiment points to a broader dissatisfaction regarding unfulfilled pledges and a call for accountability from political leaders.
In light of this ongoing political discourse, it remains vital for both parties to engage in fruitful discussions that genuinely prioritize the needs and voices of cane farmers. The hope here is that such engagements can lead to meaningful reforms that address the actual concerns of growers, thereby fostering a healthier agricultural policy environment in Fiji.
This scenario underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in political commitments, demonstrating that constructive dialogue could pave the way for positive change within the agricultural sector in Fiji.
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