The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, announced that 88 sugarcane farmers from the Western region received government grants yesterday in Ba. These grants comprise the New Farmers/Lease Premium Grant and the Farm Mechanisation Grant, aimed at enhancing productivity and providing essential resources to farmers.
During the grant presentation, Singh highlighted that a total of 223 farmers have benefited from the New Farmers and Lease Premium Assistance programme so far, which aids farmers in securing land for sugarcane farming. The recent support includes 52 farmers from the Rarawai to Penang Mill area, 13 from Lautoka, and 23 from the Nadi to Sigatoka corridor. Singh emphasized the importance of land access for the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry and indicated the government’s commitment to resolving land lease issues through ongoing dialogue and strategic planning.
To tackle challenges such as labor shortages and high production costs, the minister underscored the importance of farm mechanization. The government will distribute 12 sugarcane planters and 16 fertilizers applicators to tractor service providers in the sugar sector. Singh mentioned that the Farm Mechanisation Grant would offer a 50 percent subsidy on these machines, making them more affordable for service providers. In turn, these providers are expected to offer their services to farmers at subsidized rates, especially for planting and fertilizing.
The initiative aims to modernize the sugar industry, lower production costs, and enhance yields, thereby fostering a more sustainable and competitive sugar sector in Fiji. Singh concluded with a positive outlook, stating that the future of Fiji’s sugar industry hinges on the ability to adapt and innovate continually.
In summary, this program not only bolsters new and existing farmers but also reinforces the foundation of the sugar industry in Fiji, ensuring a promising future for agricultural productivity and sustainability.
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