325 Farmers Benefit from Assistance Programme

The Ministry of Sugar has assisted a total of 325 farmers under its new farmers and lease premium assistance programme.

Farmers have benefitted from crucial funding that helps them access and secure land for sugarcane farming.

The Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh announced this, during his visit to Labasa.

He also said an additional 38 farmers would receive support, with 23 farmers in the Labasa Mill area, five in Lautoka and 10 in the Rarawai mill area.

This programme not only supports new entrants, but also secures land tenure for existing farmers to expand their operations and sustain the industry.

"Our Government understands that secure land access is vital for the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry," Mr Singh said.

"Through continued consultation and strategic planning, we are committed to addressing land lease issues, ensuring that every farmer has the support needed to thrive."

Beyond land access, the ministry is also focused on modernising farming practices.

Recognising the need to tackle labour shortages and high production costs, the ministry was also prioritising farm mechanisation as a key part of its strategy to boost productivity.

"A total of 12 sugarcane planters and 16 fertiliser applicators are being distributed to tractor service providers across the sugar sector," Mr Singh said.

These tools were expected to assist farmers in planting and applying fertilisers more efficiently, allowing them to reduce manual labour and improve overall productivity.

Farm mechanisation grant

Through the farm mechanisation grant, the Government has been providing a 50 per cent subsidy on these machines, ensuring that tractor service providers could access this equipment affordably.

In return, these providers were expected to offer their services to farmers at subsidised rates, especially for cane planting and fertiliser application.

"We have successfully delivered these essential implements to six service providers in the Northern region," Mr Singh said.

Last week Mr Singh said an additional three providers were expected to sign their agreements to receive the same support.

"This mechanisation programme is a crucial part of our overall strategy to modernise the sugar industry, reduce production costs, and increase yields," he said

"By making these technologies available to farmers, we are paving the way for a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry in Fiji."

Recipient's testimony

Aiyub Khan was the only sugarcane farmer from Labasa who received farm mechanisation grant last Thursday.

The handing over of the grant was done by Mr Singh, where Mr Khan received a grant of $9500 for a sugarcane planter and a fertiliser applicator. Mr Khan of Tabia,

Labasa, is in his early 60s and has supplied 27000 tonnes of sugarcane to Fiji Sugar Corporation Labasa Mill this year.

He has eight sugarcane farms.

"I would like to thank the ministry and the Government for this 50 per cent partnership which has enabled me to invest more into sugarcane farming business," Mr Khan said.

"I have been a sugarcane farmer for over 15 years and this is one of the best professions in Fiji."

He said mechanisation was a way forward for smart farming and overcoming labour shortage issue.

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