To combat the labor shortage affecting sugarcane farms, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar has provided five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) in the Western Division with essential machinery. This assistance has been made possible through the Ministry’s Farm Mechanisation grant program, benefiting TSPs located in Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki.
During the machinery handover ceremony in Ba, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, emphasized that this initiative is designed to increase productivity within the sugar industry by addressing critical issues such as labor shortages and high production costs. “We are focusing on farm mechanisation as a vital component of our strategy to enhance sugar productivity,” he stated.
The program aims to modernize the sugar industry by reducing overall production costs and improving yields. Noa Kautoga, president of the Varavu Farmers’ Cooperative, expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support of sugarcane farmers through various initiatives. He highlighted that this mechanisation program will enable farmers to employ modern farming techniques while tackling the persistent challenge of labor shortages.
Minister Singh noted that the government’s aim is to create a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry through such efforts. The Farm Mechanisation grant program includes a 50 percent subsidy for the machinery, making it more affordable for TSPs. In turn, these providers will offer their services to farmers at reduced rates, focusing on essential tasks like cane planting and fertilizer application.
This initiative signifies a positive step toward modernizing the agriculture sector, ultimately benefiting farmers and the economy as a whole. By investing in mechanisation, the government is helping to secure the future of the sugar industry, making it more resilient and efficient.
Summary: The Ministry is providing support to combat labor shortages on sugarcane farms by offering machinery through a grant program, aiding productivity and modern agricultural practices.
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