The third sugar cane payment of $13.45 per tonne to farmers tomorrow was more than 40 per cent higher than what was paid out in the same payment in 2015 and 2016.

Speaking during the launch of the Farmers Handbook for the sugar cane industry at the Tanoa International in Nadi yesterday, Fiji Sugar Corporation chief executive officer Graham Clarke said this was not because of the change in average price.

Mr Clarke said: “It was the time taken to gather the money has been accelerated because the quicker we can get the money, the quicker we can distribute it to the farmers.

“The farmers want the money because they want to invest in the farms.

“At $13.45, it is a 40 per cent increase as compare to the third cane payment in 2015 and 2016.

“We will continue to do those sorts of things which is put money in the pocket of the farmers to help them achieve what they need to do.”

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the European Union during the launch of the Farmers Handbook and posters, Programme Manager Alejandro Matos Lopez said the EU was pleased to support the work of the Fairtrade and Farm Advisory Services Project.

Mr Lopez said: “This is about improving the livelihoods and income of farmers in Fiji’s sugarcane communities.

“The Farmers Handbook and the posters launched today are useful tools to guide the work of leader farmers, as well as the industry’s field staff.”

Farmers Handbook launch

The Farmers Handbook was launched as part of the EU funded Fairtrade Associations Capacity Building and Farm Advisory Services Support Project, which was being implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC).

The handbook, titled “Establishing a Farmer Field School: A Handbook for Fiji’s Sugar Industry” explains how Farmer Field Schools were run and would serve as a useful tool to guide farm advisory services staff in Fiji’s sugar industry,  well as leader and link farmers in the country’s sugarcane belt.

Along with the Handbook, a set of two posters were produced to illustrate the agricultural calendars for plant and ratoon cane.

The posters would complement the Handbook as a useful tool to guide farmers on the type of crop practices to use and when to use them.

Explaining the practicalities of the handbook and materials launched, SPC’s Fairtrade Project manager, Judith van Eijnatten said the handbooks and posters were weather-resistant, practical tools which could be taken into the field.

“The handbooks will be given out to each of the 300 leader farmers and we hope that they will facilitate the work being done by these farmers in Fiji’s sugarcane communities,” Ms van Eijnatten said.

Fairtrade Farm Advisory Services Project

The Fairtrade Farm Advisory Services Project is one of several projects implemented by SPC and financed by the EU in Fiji’s sugarcane belt.

These projects are linked to the EU’s Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol (AMSP) programme and aim to help strengthen rural sugar-income dependent communities in response to the EU’s Sugar Price Reform and the adverse conditions in the sugar industry. The AMSP programme is designed to improve the livelihoods of sugarcane dependent populations, increase income and reduce poverty.

Feedback:  charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj