Cane farmers hopeful for lease premium renewal
Mr Kumar said while some farmers had their leases renewed they also utilised the assistance programme; the new budget must have a similar or increased allocation for thi
Friday 17 May 2024 | 16:08
The Labasa Cane Producers Association (LCPA) is requesting the Government for the continuation of the lease premium renewal programme in their 2024/2025 national budget.
In the 2023/2024 financial year, of the $1.5 million was allocated for 95 farmers’ (seven in the West and 88 in the North) lease renewal.
Another $0.5 million was allocated for new farmers who wished to acquire new farm leases.
Related stories
LCPA executive manager, Lakhan Kumar, commended the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh’s effort to revive the industry with the many incentive programmes introduced ast year.
One of which was the premium assistance incentive where sugarcane farmers who have leases on the verge of expiration received 30 per cent Government subsidy.
The farmer paid the remaining 70 per cent.
Mr Kumar said while some farmers had their leases renewed they also utilised the assistance programme; the new budget must have a similar or increased allocation for this.
“Due to high cost of premiums, farmers abandoned their farms, leading to farms being put up for tender,” he said.
“Assistance like this helps to encourage farmers to continue in this sugar industry because a significant portion of farmers are from the older generation.
“We must retain our farmers, so that our industry thrives.”
He said manpower to engage in sugarcane farming continues to decline with more people migrating to Viti Levu and urban centres for income sustainability.
According to Mr Kumar during past discussions, farmers struggled to save enough money for lease premium.
“They have to take loans and other cost of operations, this leaves little for them for other expenses and obligations,” he said.
Mr Kumar said even transportation of cane to the Labasa Mill was expensive.
He has called for regular maintenance of the rail systems in Macuata so that farmers could transport cane through rail.
“Farmers can supply more cane if the rail system is efficient,” he said.
Mr Kumar added that there be an allocation on the budget to fix and repair the old rail system from Waiqele to Nubu in Macuata.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation is responsible for the maintenance and repair of 56 kilometres of rail network in Macuata.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
