Yesterday, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, awarded grants to approximately 88 sugarcane farmers from the Western region. The event took place in Ba, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing the sugarcane industry in the area.
The grants include two significant programs: the New Farmers/Lease Premium Grant and the Farm Mechanisation Grant, aimed at boosting productivity and providing essential resources to farmers. The Minister noted that to date, 223 farmers have benefited from the New Farmers and Lease Premium Assistance programme, which helps farmers secure land for sugarcane cultivation.
Mr. Singh explained that the additional 88 farmers receiving support are spread across various locations, with 52 in the Rarawai to Penang Mill area, 13 in Lautoka, and 23 from Nadi to Sigatoka. He emphasized that this initiative not only assists new farmers but also helps secure land tenure for existing farmers, thereby enabling them to expand their operations and maintain sustainability in the industry.
Moreover, the government recognizes the critical importance of secure land access for the sugar industry’s long-term viability. Mr. Singh assured that through ongoing consultation and strategic planning, the administration aims to address land lease challenges, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary support to succeed.
To combat labor shortages and high production costs, farm mechanisation is being prioritized. The Minister announced that 12 sugarcane planters and 16 fertiliser applicators are being distributed to tractor service providers, which will help farmers improve efficiency in planting and fertilisation processes. The Farm Mechanisation Grant offers a 50% subsidy on this equipment to ensure affordability for service providers, who are expected to pass these savings on to farmers.
Mr. Singh described this partnership between the government and private sector as essential for providing modern farming techniques to all farmers, regardless of their financial resources. He underscored that the mechanisation program is a crucial part of the strategy to modernize the sugar industry, cut production costs, and enhance yield, paving the way for a more sustainable and competitive sector in Fiji’s agricultural landscape.
Overall, this initiative represents a hopeful step towards revitalizing the sugarcane farming sector, promoting sustainability, and fostering economic growth in the region.
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