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Cane growers slow to call it quits
11 May 2005
A year after the federal government announced a $444 million compensation package for the sugar industry, cane growers are slow in answering the call to quit the sector, and even leave the land, in exchange for government help. The government has withheld the second tranche of welfare payments, worth $73 million, until more cane growers show they are willing to leave, and the industry devises mechanisms to improve the productivity of farms. Since the package was announced last April, only 79 growers have taken up the $100,000 exit payment. At least 1612 households have received income support from the government, 2079 growers have received money to restructure their farms, and 1561 have used business planning support. But while they are not leaving, the growers in Bundaberg have started to diversify into other crops, such as potatoes, soya beans, capsicums and flowers.
Financial Review, 11/05/05
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