Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) has welcomed the payment of 20% of the forecast price for the season which is $14.05 per tonne of cane by FSC. SCGF has received a total of $3.458m of which $1.899m (55%) has been refunded to the growers after the normal repayment.

Chief Executive Officer Raj Sharma said that payment was processed and paid to the respective bank accounts of the growers and is expected to be in the account by latest by Monday. He advised that in the last payment, loan repayments were waived after consulting the Ministry (Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs & Sugar Industry) and in this payment, normal deductions have been applied.  

He also advised that should the growers have difficulties in meeting the commitment after the deduction, they are welcome to visit the SCGF Office for assistance.  He also said that some of the growers face the challenge of closed or dormant accounts in the bank and in such cases, the funds are returned to us. Then it takes time for SCGF to reprocess the payment. He has requested the growers to ensure that the accounts in the bank remain active.  

SCGF also conveys the seasons greetings to all its stakeholders and in particular growers. The offices will remain open during the festive season except in the weekends and public holidays.  

Raj Sharma

Chief Executive Officer