Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs & Sugar Industry Delivers Continued Support to Sugarcane Farmers

The Ministry for Multi-Ethnic Affairs & Sugar Industry, under the leadership of Hon. Charan Jeath Singh, continues to demonstrate its steadfast commitment to supporting sugarcane farmers in Fiji. As promised, the government is once again providing crucial financial assistance to cane farmers across the nation.

Building on past initiatives, the Ministry has announced the release of two major financial support packages for sugarcane farmers that harvested their sugarcane in 2024 season.

Firstly, recognizing the hard work and dedication of those farmers that have increased their sugarcane production, the government is providing $5/ton for increasing cane production on 2024 season as compared to the 2023 season. Under the Farmers Incentive Program a total of 3,208 farmers will receive a collective payment of $596,701.05 for a total of 119,340.21 tonnes. This initiative is designed to encourage higher production levels, reward diligent farmers, and enhance the overall sustainability of the sugar industry.

Additionally, the Ministry has provided financial assistance to farmers that had harvested their cane manually. A total of 7,786 farmers will receive a payment of $3/ton, amounting to $2,171,633.34 through the Manual Harvesting Program. This support aims to ease the financial burden of labor-intensive harvesting methods and challenges posed by rising labor costs.  723,877.78 tons of cane was harvested manually in 2024 season.

Hon. Singh reaffirmed government’s commitment to the sugarcane industry, stating, “Our farmers are the backbone of Fiji’s sugar sector, and we are dedicated to ensuring they receive the necessary support to succeed. These financial assistance programs reflect our ongoing commitment to sustaining livelihoods, boosting productivity, and securing a strong future for the sugarcane industry.”

The Ministry is dedicated to working collaboratively with farmers, industry stakeholders, and relevant organizations to address challenges, promote growth, and secure long-term sustainability for the sugar sector in Fiji.

END