The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) has asked the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to start milling by mid-August instead of their request of August 1.
The group offered this compromise after SRA stood firm to start milling on September 1.
Enrique Rojas, NFSP president said in a letter to SRA, farmers need income since sugar mills stopped milling in April.
NFSP added majority of the almost 100,000 sugarcane farmers in the country are marginal, subsistence farmers who rely solely on income from their farms for their livelihood.
“Hectares of standing canes, which were planted earlier than usual because of the early milling last year, are due for harvest in August… Some farmers have already contracted cane cutters and delaying milling will force them to financially support the workers or risk losing them,” Rojas said in the letter.
“Moreover, simultaneous start of milling in September can create an overwhelming demand for workers and hauling services, which can result to an unhealthy competition, and can drive up the production costs,” Rojas added.
The NFSP president also cited the damage from the recent Typhoon Dodong, with its torrential rains and strong winds which hit sugarcane farms, caused mature canes to lodge and if left unharvested, will experience quality drops.
SRA earlier said the start of operations of sugar mills in the Philippines will start by September 1 as scheduled, citing data that earlier start of milling operations last year caused lower production as well as missed opportunities for farmers worth at least P700 million.
