The Sugar Ministry has announced that no government assistance will be provided to farmers who continue to plant unapproved cane varieties, effective from August 1, 2026. Permanent Secretary Yogesh Karan emphasized that, according to regulation 2.4 of the Master Award, farmers must only cultivate cane varieties that have been approved by the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF).
The Master Award also empowers the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to refuse any cane variety delivered by farmers that is not authorized for their farms. Mr. Karan stated, “To ensure strict compliance with the Master Award, the ministry is contemplating the withdrawal of all grants and subsidies from those farmers who grow and supply unapproved varieties to the mills.”
Recognizing the financial difficulties and loan commitments faced by farmers, the ministry has decided to allow a grace period until July 31, 2026, for farmers to clear any unapproved varieties from their farms in order to qualify for government grants and subsidies.
He further noted that these farmers will not be eligible for subsidized fertilizers, weedicides, production incentives, new farmer and lease renewals, small grants, or manual harvest incentives. Farmers who intend to remove unapproved varieties and replace them with approved ones can receive cane planting grants on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Farmers are encouraged to register their interest for cane planting grants with their sector offices by April 30, 2024, due to the limited availability of grants. All seed cane must be certified by SRIF, and farmers are urged to contact their sector officers for seed cane certification prior to planting.
Mr. Karan warned that no grants will be provided to those who fail to obtain this certification before planting. The FSC, SRIF, and Sugar Cane Growers Council will ensure that approved seed cane is readily available to farmers in a timely manner.