Canegrowers to pay annual premiums

CANEGROWERS who had enjoyed the benefits of a bundled insurance scheme where the Sugar Cane Growers Fund paid premiums will now have the payments deducted from their cane proceeds. This, after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed last week between Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) and Fiji Care Insurance Ltd (FIL).

SCGC chief executive officer Vimal Dutt said the council would now take up administration and the lead role in registration of growers under the scheme.

"For the past three years the insurance premium was paid by Sugar Cane Growers Fund on behalf of growers and now it is the responsibility of growers to pay the premium on their own by way of cash or through cane proceeds deductions, "he said.

Mr. Dutt highlighted that the product and premium of $1 per week or $52 per annum would remain the same for growers until they reached the age of 65.

The scheme covers death, fire, personal accident and funeral totaling to $10,000."

He urged all growers to sign up and be covered for the scheme and said in the past 3 years, 275 growers had benefited to the value of $1 million.

This has hugely assisted families during mishaps and SCGC would be providing the administrative support in assisting growers in registration and claim lodgments and payout.

FIL group chief marketing officer Joni Naverebalavu said they looked forward in supporting farmers and the SCGC going forward.