The Fiji Sugar Corporation says it has no control over the deductions made to proceeds farmers receive through cane payments.

This statement comes amidst frustration from some cane farmers, who have not received any money, following the final cane payment for 2016.

Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty said his office had received numerous complaints from farmers but did not wish to comment further.

However Mr Chetty thanked the Government for the top up payment.

The final cane payment was $0.44 per tonne but a Government top up of $9.15 saw the final cane payment increase to $9.59.

In a press statement yesterday, FSC advised that with the 2016 final cane payment, 50 per cent of current grower debt to FSC was deducted.

“The total 2016 Cane Payment was $9.1 million.

“Of this amount, less than 20 per cent or $1.8 million was deducted by FSC for fertiliser, weedicide, sugar and rice.

“Remainder amounts were channelled to individual grower bank accounts and grower nominated financial institutions for their repayments.

This is normal practice.

“It must be noted that growers with significantly lower tonnage will have a direct correlation to lower proceeds, and in some cases, may receive no cash income.

“FSC has no control over this.

“In saying this, in terms of financing debt, with this 2016 final cane payment, the growers have

reduced their debt.

“Additionally, it’s important to note that the initial cane payment was $0.44 but government

relief (top-up) has allowed for many growers the ability to reduce what debt they will carry forward to 2017.

“Having said this, there are also a large number of farmers who will enjoy more earnings for this 2016 final cane payment, as a direct result of producing larger tonnages of cane combined with manageable debt levels.”