Lal retains NFU president post for the 12th time

Farmer Surendra Lal has retained his position as the national president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) for the 12th year.

The sugarcane, rice, and subsistence farmer, who is originally from Vunika, Labasa, joined the union as a member in 1997 and was re-elected during their Annual General Meeting at Ram Mandir Hall in Labasa last Saturday.

Mr Lal said his focus for this year was to liaise with the Ministry of Sugar Industry and the Government on the need to review land premiums.

“The amount demanded as premiums for new leases or renewals is excessive and baseless,” Mr Lal said. Additionally, he aims to work with the farmers to help them sort out their issues with relevant authorities.

He said that although it was challenging, he would continue to volunteer to work to help farmers so that they remain in the sugar industry.

“Labasa is heavily dependent on the sugar industry, and I tell you if there were to be no farmers, the mill won’t operate, people will be jobless, and export targets will not be met,” he said.

“We need to work together to retain our farmers in Labasa because already so many people are migrating, including farmers’ children, overseas for greener pastures.”

He said these children would call over their parents to join them overseas for good, and the land would be left behind barren.

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