MS. RESHMI KUMARI APPOINTED AS NEW CHAIRPERSON OF SUGAR CANE GROWERS COUNCIL
15/01/2021
The Board and Management of the Sugar Cane Growers Council (‘Council’) are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Reshmi Kumari as the new Chairperson of the Council with effect from January1, 2021. Ms. Kumari’s appointment was made by the Prime Minister and Minister of the Sugar Industry pursuant to the Sugar Industry Act 1984.
Ms. Kumari being the first female amongst the five industry institutions to take up the Chairperson role, brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to her role of leadership to oversee the planning, designing and implementation of plans and strategic actions to benefit cane growers in Fiji. She holds positions of increasing responsibility and complexity, as Director for Policy, Planning and Research at the Ministry of Sugar Industry and concurrently serving as Board member of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji, Biosecurity Authority Fiji and Foo
ANISH CHAND
Prof Biman Prasad. Picture: RAMA/FT FILE
The National Federation Party (NFP) states there should be no deductions made from the second cane payment to be paid to sugarcane growers tomorrow.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) announced this week there would be a 50 per cent deduction relief for farmers in the Northern Division only.
“This is not good enough,” said NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad.
“There shouldn’t be any deduction from the second cane payment for all canegrowers as they need the money to facilitate school preparations for children and meet other expenses,” he said.
“This is the least FSC and industry stakeholders can do.
22 December, 2020, 11:27 pm
Ruined homes at Votua Village in Lekutu in the wake of TC Yasa. Picture: JOSAIA RALAGO
Sugarcane farmers on Vanua Levu affected by STC Yasa have been offered several loan options.
Sugar Cane Growers Fund chief executive officer Raj Sharma said growers producing above 75 tonnes of cane could apply for a $4000 loan for house repairs and farm upgrade.
He added the special STC Yasa Disaster Rehabilitation Loan Package offer would be available until March 31, 2021.
Farmers can also obtain unsecured loans from the Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC). Those whose yield is between 75-100 tonnes can get $500, farmers with crop between 100-150 tonnes can obtain $750 and those with more than 150 tonnes are eligible for $1000.