Boosting Sugar Production: New Mechanisation Initiative Tackles Labour Shortages

In an effort to combat the ongoing labor shortage affecting sugarcane farms, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar has issued five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) in the Western Division to support sugarcane planters and fertilizer applicators. This initiative is part of the Ministry’s Farm Mechanisation grant programme, which aims to enhance productivity across the sugar industry.

At a recent handover ceremony in Ba, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, emphasized the importance of farm mechanisation in addressing key challenges like labor shortages and rising production costs. He stated, “Recognising the need to tackle labour shortages and high production costs, we are prioritising farm mechanisation as a key part of our strategy to boost sugar productivity.” This programme forms a crucial component of broader efforts to modernize the industry, thereby reducing costs and increasing yields.

Noa Kautoga, the president of the Varavu Farmers’ Cooperative, voiced gratitude to the government for its ongoing support of sugarcane farmers. He highlighted that the mechanisation programme enables farmers to adopt modern farming techniques while effectively addressing significant labor challenges.

The Minister also pointed out that the government is paving the way for a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry through various initiatives, including a 50 percent subsidy on the machinery provided through the farm mechanisation grant programme. This subsidy aims to make equipment more accessible for TSPs, who will then offer their services to farmers at reduced rates, specifically for cane planting and fertilizer application.

This initiative holds the promise of revitalizing the sugar industry by not only addressing labor shortages but also reducing operational costs and modernizing farming practices, ultimately leading to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Overall, this positive development underscores the commitment of the government to support local farmers and enhance agricultural productivity, fostering a more resilient sugar industry for the future.