26 May 2017

Cane farmers in Fiji much to get more govt support

From , 3:05 pm on 26 May 2017

Cane farmers in Fiji's north have staged a protest march today dissatisfied at what they say is a lack of government support particularly after last year's devastating cyclone.

Growers on Vanua Levu marched through the island's main town of Labasa to present a petition to the Sugar Minister with a raft of concerns.

That's despite an assistance package announced last week which wipes deductions like rent from the next cane payout and waives the debt on special small loans offered after Cyclone Winston.

The president of the National Farmers Union, Surendra Lal, says farmers want a topped up guaranteed cane payment to continue farming in the face of rising costs and future market changes.

Surendra Lal, who says about 300 farmers took part in the protest, spoke to Sally Round just before the march.