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 and growth, emphasizing its focus on sustainability, competitiveness, and overall well-being.
Singh highlighted that the increased budget of $70.1 million for the sugar industry would enhance the service delivery to farmers through the Ministry’s capital programs. He applauded the Government’s decision to allocate $4 million to the sugar stabilization fund to address price stability and guarantee a favorable cane price for farmers.
Key initiatives under the Sugarcane Development and Farmers Assistance Program, valued at $4 million, are aimed at increasing farm productivity through planting and replanting initiatives. The Farm Incentive Program, with a $1 million allocation, will reward farmers who increase cane production, providing $5 for every ton of cane increased from the 2023 season to the 2024 season.
To address cane transportation issues, the Ministry has allocated $4 million to the Cane Access Road Program, ensuring the temporary repair of over 3,000 roads, culverts, and crossings. Additionally, $1 million has been set aside for the provision of cane cage-bins, with plans to fabricate over 40 cage-bins for the efficient transfer of mechanically harvested cane via the rail network.
Singh 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 threefold to $3 per ton, totaling $3 million. Collaboration with Fiji Corrections Services continues, with a budget of $320,000.
The Ministry will continue the Fertilizer Subsidy Program with a $20 million allocation, offering fertilizers at $20 per bag and providing subsidies for weedicide with $1 million allocation, and subsidizing cartage costs with $4.9 million for Penang farmers.
A $1 million subsidy is set aside to assist farmers with expiring leases or those wishing to purchase land for cane farming, offering a 30% subsidy or $7500, whichever is lower. Additionally, $5.5 million has been allocated to the Drainage Program for sugarcane farmers to mitigate climate change impacts.
Furthermore, the budget includes a new allocation of $15 million as working capital support for the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to stabilize operations and fulfill financial obligations for the EXIM bank loan.