𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭

To address the labor shortages on sugarcane farms, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry has handed over Sugarcane Planters and Fertilizer Applicators to five Tractor Service Providers (TSPs) in the Western Division.

While handing over the farm machineries, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Hon. Charan Jeath Singh, said the initiative aims to enhance productivity in the sugar industry, addressing major challenges of labor shortages and high production costs.

“Recognizing the need to tackle labor shortages and high production costs, we are prioritizing farm mechanization as a key part of our strategy to boost sugar productivity.

“The Farm Mechanization Program is a crucial part of our overall strategy to modernize the sugar industry, reduce production costs, and increase yields,” said Minister Singh.

Minister Singh said the government is paving the way for a more sustainable and competitive sugar industry through such government initiatives.

“In the Farm Mechanization Grant Program, the government provides a 50% subsidy on these machines, ensuring that TSPs can access this equipment affordably. In return, these providers are expected to offer their services to farmers at subsidized rates, especially for cane planting and fertilizer application,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President of Varavu Farmers’ Cooperative, Mr. Noa Kautoga acknowledged the government for their unwavering support to the sugarcane farmers through their various initiatives.

“We are glad the government through the Ministry of Sugar Industry is doing a lot for the farmers. Such initiatives, as the mechanization program will assist farmers to use modern techniques and, most importantly address labor shortages on farms, which is a major challenge farmers are facing,” he said.

A total of five TSPs from Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki received the Sugarcane Planter and Fertilizer Applicators through the Ministry’s Farm Mechanization Grant Program.