To combat the ongoing labor shortages in the sugarcane farming sector, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar has initiated a program to provide support to sugarcane planters and fertilizer applicators in the Western Division by introducing five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs). These TSPs, based in Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki, have received assistance through the Ministry’s Farm Mechanisation grant program.
During the machinery handover event in Ba, Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, emphasized that this initiative aims to improve productivity in the sugar industry while addressing significant challenges such as labor shortages and elevated production costs. He stated, “Recognizing the need to tackle labor shortages and high production costs, we are prioritizing farm mechanisation as a key part of our strategy to boost sugar productivity. The farm mechanisation program is essential for modernizing the sugar industry, reducing production costs, and increasing yields.”
Noa Kautoga, president of the Varavu Farmers’ Cooperative, praised the government for its consistent support of sugarcane farmers through various initiatives. He noted, “Government through the Ministry of Sugar is doing much for the farmers. Such initiatives, including the mechanisation program, enable farmers to utilize modern techniques and, most critically, address labor shortages on farms, which are a major challenge.”
Minister Singh remarked that the government is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry through these initiatives. He explained that the farm mechanisation grant program provides a 50 percent subsidy on machinery, allowing TSPs to offer their services to farmers at reduced rates, particularly for cane planting and fertilizer application.
In summary, this initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing the productivity and sustainability of the sugar industry, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting farmers while adapting to modern agricultural practices.
This program is not just a response to immediate challenges but also a forward-looking strategy that could lead to increased resilience and efficiency in the sugar sector, offering a hopeful outlook for its future.
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