82% of northern cane farmers harvesting despite boycott fears

Fears of a sugarcane harvest boycott in Vanua Levu have failed to materialise, with 82 per cent of northern farmers signing harvesting agreements and supplying cane to the Fiji Sugar Corporation's Labasa mill, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna says.

Mr Tunabuna said harvesting and crushing operations in the North had remained on track despite earlier claims that farmers would boycott the season.

He said 82 per cent of farmers in Vanua Levu had signed the Memorandum of Gang Agreement (MOGA), allowing harvesting gangs comprising growers, cutters and transporters to supply cane to FSC mills.

"I am very particularly happy with the farming community in the North for their perseverance and resilience in carrying out their harvesting duties," he said.

"They decision to sign the MOGA reflected on their willingness to address the existing sugarcane supply shortage being witnessed around the country."

Mr Tunabuna said reports from the ground showed there had been no disruption to cane supply at the Labasa mill.

"I haven't heard of complaints of low sugarcane supply to FSC Labasa mill as per the ground reports received," he clarified.

He also dismissed claims that scheduled mill shutdowns were caused by low cane supply.

"Simply we can't wait for our mills to experience a major break down and then we start with maintenance work, so we crush six days while on Sunday is reserved for repairs and maintenance," the line minister said.

The minister said attention had now shifted to encouraging growers in the Western Division to maintain cane supply.

Farmers prioritise livelihoods

Seaqaqa farmer Atish Kumar said he chose to begin harvesting because his family's financial needs came first.

"We respect his stand for us, but, I believe farmers need to harvest cane and leave the negotiations between the NFU and Government."

Another farmer, Ilisoni Nate, said rising fuel prices had increased harvesting costs, but he continued cutting cane because of financial commitments.

He hoped Government would consider increasing the cane price.

"For Seaqaqa sector, we contribute one of the highest cane supplies to FSC Labasa mill, so our farmers deserve an increase from the current $85 per tonne."

Minister open to talks

Mr Tunabuna said he remained willing to meet National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry to discuss the future of the sugar industry.

However, he expressed disappointment that Mr Chaudhry had not attended any of the four sugar consultation meetings held in the Western Division.

"We had four sugar consultation sessions in the West, but, for Mr Chaudhry's to say he is representing the best interests of farmers, he was not seen in any of the sessions," he said.

Mr Tunabuna said a letter from Mr Chaudhry to his office and the Prime Minister's Office outlined farmers' demands that should be addressed before crushing began.

"In the letter, it was made clear Mr Chaudhry was highlighting on the demands requested to be met by Government and no indication of boycotting the season," he said.

He added that he had invited Mr Chaudhry to meet him but had not received a response.