Transportation allowance and not having a growers fund in Seaqaqa were some of the major issues that were raised by the Cane farmers in Vunivere Seaqaqa with Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Fiji Sugar Corporation officials.
During the talanoa session 56-year-old farmer, Subhash Chand raised the issue saying the farmers from Wainikoro and Daku receive ten dollars allowance for the tractor and trailers for transporting their sugar cane to the Labasa Sugar Mill while they receive only $2.40.
He says the transportation cost in Vunivere and Navai Seaqaqa is very high.
Another farmer Jagjit Prasad says that there is a need for a growers fund office in Seaqaqa.
He adds that farmers need funds they have to travel to Labasa which is very far.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed Kaiyum and Fiji Sugar Corporation Chief Operating Officer, Navin Chandra has ensured farmers that they will look into the issue and come back with the solution.
Meanwhile, 27 farmers will benefit from a $310,000 worth of new cane harvesting machine at Vunivere Seaqaqa that is handed over to them by the government.
While receiving the assistance, Vunivere Cane Farmers Cooperative
President, Johir Lal says that they are proud to receive such a timely assistance as they always face the shortage of labourers in the area.
Lal says that the government provided $90,000 and for the balance amount cooperative took the loan from Fiji Development Bank.
