Sugarcane farmers in the Philippines have urged the government to provide fuel subsidies as rising diesel prices threaten to increase the cost of sugarcane production, Digicast Negros reported.
The appeal was made by the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), which has requested assistance from Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr..
UNIFED president Manuel Lamata said diesel accounts for around 30 to 40 percent of the total cost of producing sugarcane. With fuel prices expected to rise sharply, the federation has asked the government to issue subsidy coupons to farmers to help reduce their expenses.
The request comes amid concerns over possible fuel price increases linked to tensions in the Middle East. Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and drone attacks on energy facilities have raised fears of higher fuel costs.
Lamata also warned that the expected impact of El Niño could increase the need for irrigation, which would further raise fuel consumption among farmers.
He said the federation is hoping for immediate support from the government, adding that without targeted subsidies, higher production costs and the approaching dry season could affect the sugar industry’s output in the coming milling season.
