SA Canegrowers urges govt to address import issues
SA Canegrowers is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to address pressing issues affecting the industry such as cheaper sugar imports.
The call comes ahead of the State of the Nation Address set to be held next week in Cape town.
The association recently invested about R1 million in funding for the industry.
This will benefit around 21 000 small-scale growers and farm workers who, over the past five years, have faced an economic crisis.
The organisation's Chairperson Andrew Russell says government should also support the efforts being made by the industry.
"Through these payments, the industry has been able to help the most vulnerable to absorb the shocks caused by drought and floods, cheap sugar imports, the Health Promotion Levy, Covid-19, and the ongoing crisis in parts of the milling industry.
"SA Canegrowers is committed to preserving and expanding opportunities in the industry for young, black and women growers among others.
"But to achieve this, we have to overcome the challenges the industry faces and work together with all industry stakeholders, especially government, to create a policy environment within which new growers can find a foothold and build sustainable livelihoods."
