By SHEIK DEAN
As the year kicks off with back-to-school shopping, sugarcane farmers will give a sigh of relief after an early cane payment was announced yesterday.
Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive Sundresh Chetty has confirmed of a special cane payment to farmers of $5 per tonne in view of the 2014 school opening.
“The special cane payment is in view of the 2014 school term beginning as farmers need money to buy basic school items such as school uniforms, shoes, bags and stationary for their children,” Mr Chetty said
This follows positive responses by the Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman, Abdul Khan
“The special cane payment was finalized yesterday afternoon (Monday) after discussions with FSC and the Ministry of Sugar.
The special payment date will be announced later this week.
Budget allocation
Meanwhile, Mr Chetty said that farmers were happy with the budget allocation of $541.5 million to the education sector.
“The free education to primary and secondary students will benefit the rural community farmers largely as they need money to buy basic school items.
“We have received a number of positive feedbacks from rural farmers on free education to students allocated in the budget,’’ added Mr Chetty.
Special programmes
Mr Chetty added that the council would like to see of the Ministry of Education to have extra curriculum studies programme provided to students in relation to the sugar industry.
“Apart from the education budget, the allocation of $8.4 million for Sugar Development Programme will be channeled to farmers this year.
“We will have meetings with the Ministry of Sugar and other stakeholders on how these funds can be channeled properly to farmers.”