Cane growers in Seaqaqa request for a special cane payment

Cane growers in Seaqaqa have requested government for a special cane payment as they are in dire need of cash which will enable them to re-start their lives while they wait for further assistance from government.

Some cane farmers have told Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum that sugarcane farmers should get money as they solely rely on cane farming and never step back from providing cane with an aim to always increase their tonnage.

The farmers say they know government will assist them and also understand that due to COVID-19 and quarantine restrictions, assistance will be delayed and a special cane payment will provide much needed to relief to cane growers in the North as they wait for other assistance.

The cane growers say they fear 2022 will bring the worse for them as the crop for 2022 has been severely affected.

When contacted FSC CEO, Graham Clark says they are not aware of these requests, but will be discussing assistance this week.

He says the damage assessment following TC Yasa is nearing completion and these issues will be addressed once this task is finalised.