West Farmers Laud Government Help

To address labour shortage on sugarcane farms, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar gave sugarcane planters and fertilizer applicators five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) in the Western Division.

Five TSPs from Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki received the assistance through the Ministry’s Farm Mechanisation grant programme.

While handing-over the farm machinery in Ba, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, says the initiative aims to enhance productivity in the sugar industry, addressing major challenges of labour shortages and high production costs.

“Recognising the need to tackle labour shortages and high production costs, we are prioritising farm mechanisation as a key part of our strategy to boost sugar productivity,” Mr Singh said.

“The farm mechanisation programme is a crucial part of our overall strategy to modernise the sugar industry, reduce production costs, and increase yields.”

Varavu Farmers’ Cooperative president Noa Kautoga, acknowledged government for its unwavering support to sugarcane farmers through various initiatives.

“Government through the Ministry of Sugar is doing much for the farmers.

“Such initiatives, as the mechanisation programme assists farmers to use modern techniques and, most importantly address labour shortages on farms, which is a major challenge farmers are facing,” Mr Kautoga said.

The Minister said Government had been paving the way for a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry through such government initiatives.

“In the farm mechanisation grant programme, Government provides a 50 per cent subsidy on these machines, ensuring TSPs to access this equipment affordably,” he said.

“These providers are expected to offer their services to farmers at subsidised rates, especially for cane planting and fertiliser application.”

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