Government has increased fund allocation for the Sugarcane Growers Fund, as stated by the chief executive officer, Raj Sharma, who believes the adjustment is fair. The Cane Growers Council has been earmarked $200,000 for elections and an additional $800,000 for council operations. Vimal Dutt, the chief executive officer of the Sugarcane Growers Council, expressed satisfaction with this decision.
Record-breaking payments have been made to sugarcane farmers, with a high of $91.28 per ton. According to the Minister of Finance, Biman Prasad, the cane price for the 2023 season is set around $102 per tonne, marking another record.
The Ministry of Sugar Industry and Multi-Ethnic Affairs received an increased funding of $76.1 million in the new budget allocation. This includes $66 million for farm developments, subsidies for cane production, fertilizer, and weedicides, as well as for the upgrade of cane access roads, lease premium assistance, farm mechanisation, and working capital for the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to repay the EXIM Bank of India loan.
Mr Prasad said efforts were focused on strengthening the Sugar Cane Growers Council and making it a representative body for farmer interests. He indicated the $1 million and $400,000 provisions for the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji and the Sugar Tribunal respectively. A further $2.3 million has been allocated for promoting language, culture, arts and small community projects.
In addition, the government has allocated $1.2 million for the construction of gas crematoriums in Labasa, Navua, Lautoka, and Ba in the budget.