SCGC wants 50pc fertiliser subsidy

January 07, 2009 04:39:51 PM

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Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive Surendra Sharma wants a 50 per cent fertiliser subsidy for cane farmers.

Sharma says he wants to tackle the fertiliser issue this year.

“An annualised 50% subsidy by the government on the increased price seems to be the only viable option now,” he said.

“This is messy, complicated and precarious for the farmers but needs necessarily to be realistically addressed.

“For too long the real problems have been conveniently swept under the carpet.

“I think Gerald Barrack (former Sugar Commission chairman) had foreseen the profound problems that would be created if the prices were not adjusted appropriately.”

Sharma said the SCGC will be making submissions to the government based on a win-win formula.