𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗮

The 2025 cane crushing season for the Northern Division officially commenced today with its operations at the Labasa Sugar Mill.

While officiating the opening ceremony at the Labasa Mill, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Hon. Charan Jeath Singh, called on farmers to take full advantage of the Government’s ongoing support by planting and harvesting more sugarcane.

In his address, the Minister emphasized the Government’s unwavering support for sugarcane farmers, highlighting a range of initiatives and incentives rolled out over the past two years to boost production and reduce farming costs.

“Our coalition government remains firmly committed to standing beside our farmers. And the results speak for themselves. But we also ask our farmers to grow more. Because the more you produce, the more we can support you, and the more resilient this industry becomes,” said Minister Singh.

Minister Hon. Singh highlighted the Government’s strategic focus for the sugar industry, which is lowering production costs, improving productivity, and revitalizing sugarcane farming as a viable and attractive livelihood, through various government incentive such as Farmers Incentive Program, Manual Labour Subsidy of $3 per tonne to support those using manual harvesting, and Infield Drainage Program, protecting farms from flooding and waterlogging.

“We have also reformed long-standing programs such as Cane Access Roads and the Sugar Development Program, ensuring these are not just line items in a budget, but real services that make a difference in your day-to-day farming operations,” added Minister Singh.

Minister Singh reiterated to the sugarcane farmers that they should take full advantage of the various government incentives and increase their sugarcane production.