The island's cane farmers and Jamaica Cane Product Sales have agreed on a nine per cent increase in second payments to growers, to assist in coping with the massive rise in the cost of fertiliser.

Allan Rickards, chairman of the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers' Association, said on Thursday that the increase was welcomed.

Sugarcane farmers are paid in three instalments but according to them, the current rates need to be increased.

Rickards on Tuesday pursued the matter at a meeting of directors of Jamaica Cane Products Sales. He said, without the increase, a significant number of growers would receive cheques equivalent to nothing because they had to contend with rising production costs.

Second payments are usually due late July into August, four weeks after June month-end when cane factories are closed.

A few of the sugar factories, such as Monymusk in Clarendon; Appleton in St Elizabeth and Frome in Westmoreland, have already made out second payments.

Long Pond, Trelawny, Ducken-field, St Thomas, and Bernard Lodge in St Catherine, will close in a few days.

Factories reopeningearly December

The factories will reopen early December for the beginning of the season. The prime reaping season is mid-January to early May, depending on the particular factory.

Sugar workers' 'first payment' is paid out about a week after farmers deliver their crops to the factories.

The amount paid out to farmers, in all three instalments, is determined by several factors such as the amount made from export of crop and the local sale of brown sugar.

After a determined amount is calculated, 62 per cent is paid out to farmers and 38 per cent to the factories.

The final instalment, third payment is usually made out in November.

"The third payment reflects the reality of what was gained from the season," said Rickards.

The chairman said the issues of the farmers regarding the rising cost of diesel fuel and fertiliser had been brought to the agriculture ministry and that he was optimistic that positive action would be taken.