Ba cane farmers refuse harvest over price demands

Sugarcane farmers in Ba, Fiji, are poised to refuse the upcoming harvest, escalating a dispute over the forecast cane price. Their demand centers on a significant increase from the current $57.40 per tonne forecast, which they argue is insufficient to cover escalating costs.

During a National Farmers Union meeting, farmers voiced their frustration, stating that the existing returns do not adequately address rising harvesting and transport expenses. Pushpram Sharma, a farmer present, criticized the pricing system as outdated, failing to reflect increased living and production costs. "The cost of living now is too high, what are you (government) going to do," questioned another farmer, Akuila Sidure, highlighting the burden of replanting cane amidst rising fuel prices.

Farmers are collectively pushing for the guaranteed minimum cane price to be raised to $110 per tonne. The National Farmers Union supports this, also advocating for the forecast price to be revised to $85 per tonne. The union believes these adjustments are crucial to improve overall cane returns, support struggling farmers, and increase delivery-related earnings to approximately $60 per tonne.

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The cost of living now is too high, what are you (government) going to do. You’re telling us to plant more cane, now the fuel price is going up, who is going give the fuel price for replanting the cane?