Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, has praised the 2024-2025 budget allocation for his Ministry.
Supporting the National Budget in Parliament, Singh described it as a catalyst for Fiji’s development, focusing on sustainability, competitiveness, and overall well-being.
Singh highlighted the increased budget of $70.1 million for the sugar industry, ensuring improved service delivery to farmers through the Ministry’s capital programs. He emphasized the importance of the $4 million allocated to the sugar stabilization fund, which addresses price stability concerns and guarantees favorable cane prices for farmers.
Under the Sugarcane Development and Farmers Assistance Program, $4 million is dedicated to enhancing farm productivity through planting and replanting initiatives. The Farm Incentive Program, with a $1 million allocation, rewards farmers who increase cane production, offering $5 for every additional ton from the 2023 to 2024 season.
To address cane transportation issues, the Ministry has allocated $4 million to the Cane Access Road Program for the temporary repair of over 3,000 roads, culverts, and crossings. Additionally, $1 million is set aside for the provision of cane cage-bins, aimed at facilitating the transfer of mechanically harvested cane via the rail network.
Singh also outlined plans to address labor shortages through mechanization initiatives supported by a $500,000 budget and enhanced subsidies under the Manual Harvesting Support Program, which has increased to $3 per ton, totaling $3 million.
Collaboration with Fiji Corrections Services continues, with a $320,000 allocation for manual harvesting support. The Fertilizer Subsidy Program, allocated $20 million, will offer fertilizers at $20 per bag, along with $1 million for weedicide subsidies and $4.9 million for cartage costs for Penang farmers.
The Ministry has set aside $1 million to assist farmers with expiring leases or those wishing to purchase land for cane farming, offering a subsidy of 30% or $7,500, whichever is lower. Furthermore, $5.5 million is allocated to the Drainage for Sugarcane Farmers Program to mitigate climate change impacts.
Singh also announced a $15 million allocation as working capital support for the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to stabilize operations and fulfill financial obligations for the EXIM bank loan.