Budget support needed to keep farmers in sugar industry, says grower

A father of four is calling for closer collaboration between the sugar and agriculture sectors to help farmers maintain stable incomes and remain in the industry.

Ashwin Karan fears more farmers will leave the sugar industry and turn to other sources of income if greater support is not provided.

"If nothing is done in this Budget, I know some farmers will choose different ways to survive," Mr Karan said.

Mr Karan said farmers in rural areas faced significant challenges and often depended on access to finance to sustain their operations.

"Without bank loans, we cannot survive," he said.

"The sugar industry is one of the most unstable sectors in Fiji and its problems have taken years to resolve."

The father of four from Nagigi, Labasa, recently diversified his income by becoming a market vendor while continuing his farming activities.

He said the move, made three months ago, was aimed at better supporting his children's education and coping with the rising cost of living.

Mr Karan hopes the Ministry of Sugar Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture will work together to introduce programmes in the 2026-2027 National Budget to help farmers sustain their livelihoods.

He said farmers needed a reliable source of daily income to support their families.

"This is why I have devoted more time to being a market vendor at the Labasa Municipal Market because of the high cost of living," the 38-year-old said.

"If I sit and wait for the Labasa sugar mill to open, my children will not be able to take food to school."

Three months ago, he transformed a piece of barren land into a vegetable garden and now sells the produce at the market.

"Within a week of selling vegetables, I was able to buy groceries for my family and save money to pay power and water bills," he said.

Mr Karan urged both ministries to work together to encourage young people to take up farming.

"This is so the younger generation feels motivated to choose farming as a profession. Otherwise, Fiji's future will not be bright because many people are migrating overseas," he said.

Last year, Mr Karan delivered 300 tonnes of cane from his 12-acre farm to the FSC Labasa Sugar Mill.