Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh has praised the 2024-2025 budget allocation for his Ministry.
While endorsing the 2024-2025 National Budget in Parliament, Singh described the budget as a catalyst for Fiji’s development and growth, emphasizing sustainability, competitiveness, and the overall well-being of the nation.
Addressing plans for the sugar industry, he noted that the increased budget of $70.1 million would ensure continued and improved service delivery to farmers through the Ministry’s capital programs.
Singh highlighted the Government’s prudent decision to allocate $4 million to the sugar stabilization fund, addressing concerns about price stability and guaranteeing a favorable cane price to farmers.
Key initiatives under the Sugarcane Development and Farmers Assistance Program are earmarked at $4 million to boost farm productivity through planting and replanting efforts.
The Farm Incentive Program, with a $1 million allocation, will reward farmers who increase cane production. The Government will provide $5 for every ton of cane increased in the 2024 season compared to the 2023 season.
Addressing cane transportation issues, Singh announced that the Ministry has allocated $4 million to the Cane Access Road Program for the temporary repair of over 3,000 roads, culverts, and crossings as needed.
“The Ministry has again allocated $1 million for the provision of cane cage-bins. We expect to fabricate over 40 cage-bins, allowing the transfer of mechanically harvested cane via the rail network, the cheapest mode of transportation to the mills,” he stated.
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 threefold to $3 per ton with a total of $3 million for the program.
Collaboration with Fiji Corrections Services continues to provide manual harvesting support, with an allocated budget of $320,000.
“To alleviate financial burdens on farmers, the Ministry will continue the Fertilizer Subsidy Program with a $20 million allocation, providing fertilizers at $20 per bag. Additionally, $1 million is allocated for weedicide subsidies, and $4.9 million for cartage costs for Penang farmers,” he said.
The Ministry of Sugar has set aside $1 million to assist farmers, providing a subsidy of 30% or $7500 (whichever is lower) for those whose leases are expiring or who wish to purchase land for cane farming.
“We have also allocated $5.5 million to the Drainage for sugarcane farmers program to mitigate the impact of climate change on sugarcane farms.”
“Furthermore, $15 million is allocated as working capital support for the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to stabilize operations and fulfill financial obligations for the EXIM bank loan,” he added.