The Sugar Ministry has been allocated funding of $70.1 million in the 2024-2025 national budget.
While delivering the budget today, Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad said out of this, $66 million would be provided to cater for farm development to increase cane production, fertilizer and weedicide subsidy, subsidy for cane cartage, upgrade of cane access roads, lease premium assistance, drainage, farm mechanization, subsidy for manual harvesting and working on capital support to Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) to repay its EXIM Bank of India loan.
“We are working towards strengthening the Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) and making it more democratic, so it truly represents the farmers will and interest,” he said.
Prof Prasad added that the Government would provide $200,000 for the conduct of the cane growers council elections and a further $800,000 for the operations of the Council.
“The Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) is provided $1.1 million while the Sugar Tribunal is provided $400,000,” he said.
Prof Prasad said the sugar industry continues to play an integral role in our economy, especially in rural areas.
“Last year, we paid the highest sugarcane price of $91.38 to our farmers.
“For the 2023 season, the cane price is around $102 per tonne, a record in itself.”
