In an effort to combat the labor shortage faced by sugarcane farms, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar sector has introduced support for sugarcane planters and fertilizer applicators through the provision of five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) in the Western Division of Fiji. This assistance was rolled out under the Ministry’s Farm Mechanisation grant program, aimed at enhancing productivity within the sugar industry.
During the equipment handover ceremony in Ba, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, highlighted that the initiative addresses critical challenges related to labor shortages and soaring production costs. He emphasized the government’s commitment to adopting farm mechanization as a vital component of their strategy to improve sugar productivity. “Recognising the need to tackle labor shortages and high production costs, we are prioritizing farm mechanisation as a key part of our strategy to boost sugar productivity,” Mr. Singh stated.
Noa Kautoga, president of the Varavu Farmers’ Cooperative, expressed gratitude for the government’s consistent support to sugarcane farmers through various initiatives. He noted, “Such initiatives, as the mechanisation programme, assist farmers to use modern techniques and most importantly address labor shortages on farms, which is a major challenge farmers are facing.”
The Minister also indicated that the Government aims to create a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry through these initiatives. Under the farm mechanisation program, the Government offers a 50 percent subsidy on the cost of machinery, allowing TSPs to make this equipment more affordable for farmers. The TSPs will provide their services at subsidized rates, particularly focused on cane planting and fertilizer application.
This initiative stands as a positive step towards modernizing agricultural practices in the sugar industry, ultimately fostering a stronger and more resilient workforce. It is an encouraging development that promises to equip farmers with the necessary tools to thrive in an evolving economic landscape while ensuring the ongoing sustainability of sugarcane farming in the region.
The forward-thinking approach taken by the government, coupled with the farmers’ cooperative’s support, can lead to increased productivity and improved living standards for those working within the sector.
Summary: The Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar sector is addressing labor shortages on sugarcane farms by providing assistance through five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) as part of the Farm Mechanisation grant program. This initiative aims to boost productivity and reduce costs in the sugar industry, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing agricultural practices for greater sustainability and competitiveness in the sector.
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