Sugar cane farmers demand $110 guaranteed price before harvest

Sugar cane farmers are demanding that Government raise the guaranteed cane price from $85 to $110 a tonne, saying higher harvesting and cartage costs have made the current price unsustainable.

The calls follow Government's $5 fuel subsidy and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission's (FCCC) approval of higher mechanical harvesting and sugarcane cartage rates, which took effect on June 23.

Rakiraki farmer Dharmen Kumar said the increase in harvesting costs would be borne by farmers.

"Transport allowance from our farm to the mill will be paid by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), while the harvester rate increase will be paid by the farmer," Mr Kumar said.

"Currently, the guaranteed price is $85 and farmers are calling for a $110 guaranteed price, which is fair. If the $110 guaranteed price is sorted, we are ready to harvest the cane."

Lorry Association president Atish Kumar said the revised rates would apply for only one month and questioned why the increase applied only to Rakiraki.

"It is not fair as it has been increased for Rakiraki only. The harvester rate has been increased but trucks from Rakiraki to Ba are regulated by FCCC," he said.

Ba farmer Jasveer Lal said the higher harvesting rates would further reduce growers' returns.

"Many operators have trucks but do not plant cane. The current guaranteed price of $85 is not enough. Unless it is $110, it will not be fair," he said.

Tavua farmer Sarwan Kumar said rising living costs justified an increase in the guaranteed cane price.

"We need a guaranteed price of $110. Everything is going up, including the cost of living," he said.

Ba farmer Olivia Likusiga said small-scale growers were struggling to absorb increasing operational costs.

"For small-scale growers like us, every cent counts, and this sudden jump in operational expenses is a heavy burden," she said.

Seaqaqa farmer Josefa Turagabeci said the new harvesting and cartage charges would significantly affect growers' earnings.

"Even with Government's promised subsidy, the increased fees will leave very little money in my pocket after the crushing season ends," he said.

Meanwhile, growers say they will not harvest unless their concerns are addressed and have called on Government to negotiate directly with the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Farmers are also seeking a delivery price of $60 a tonne to offset increased costs resulting from the fuel crisis.

With mechanical harvesting costs increasing by 30 per cent, growers say they stand to lose an additional $6 to $7 a tonne.

NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the issue was about economics, not politics.

Under the new FCCC-approved rates, mechanical harvesting charges have increased by 30.3 per cent, from $18.90 to $24.63 a tonne, while authorised sugarcane cartage rates have risen by 25.4 per cent.