The Coalition Government has allocated $221 million to the agriculture, waterways and sugar sectors in the 2026-2027 National Budget, while signalling a long-term shift towards diversifying the sugar industry as production continues to decline.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said investment in agriculture remained essential to strengthening rural livelihoods, improving food security, expanding exports and diversifying Fiji’s economy.
“Mr Speaker Sir, investing in our agricultural sector is critical to drive economic diversification, support our rural economy and livelihoods, grow our exports and ensure food security.”
Mr Immanuel said the recent merger of the Ministry of Sugar with the Ministry of Agriculture would allow Government to adopt a more integrated approach to agricultural development.
He acknowledged the continued decline of the sugar industry and said Government would focus on medium-term diversification while maintaining support for cane farmers during the transition.
“The sugar industry has been on a decline and given the economics of the industry and to protect the interest of the farmers and the taxpayers, Government will focus on sugar industry diversification in the medium term.”
The Budget allocates $96.3 million to support the sugar industry.
Despite declining global sugar prices, Government will maintain the guaranteed cane price of $85 per tonne for the 2026 crushing season.
With the forecast market return estimated at $57 per tonne, Government has set aside $41.6 million to fund a top-up payment of approximately $28 per tonne to growers.
Additional industry support includes $30 million for fertiliser and weedicide subsidies, cartage assistance, cane access road upgrades, cane planting grants, farm mechanisation, farm incentive programmes and assistance for new farmers.
Mr Immanuel also announced that Government would continue repaying the US$32.7 million Fiji Sugar Corporation loan obtained from the EXIM Bank of India in 2005.
The Budget provides approximately $18 million towards servicing that debt during the new financial year.
Beyond sugar, Government has allocated $102 million for the broader agriculture sector.
Funding will support crop and livestock research, agricultural extension services, farm mechanisation, farm access roads and expanded production of export commodities including yaqona, dalo, ginger, spices, cocoa and dairy.
Mr Immanuel said the Coalition Government would also expand its fertiliser and weedicide subsidy programme.
The Budget allocates $3 million, extending assistance beyond dalo, ginger, cassava and vegetables to include yaqona and turmeric.
To encourage continued agricultural use of native land, Government will provide $6.9 million to the Committee for Better Utilisation of Land (CBUL) programme.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority will receive $2.5 million to improve market access for smallholder and previously unreached farmers.
Support will also continue for agricultural training through the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute and the Tutu Training Centre, with $3.6 million allocated in the Budget.
In addition, Government has provided $16.2 million for river dredging and the clearing of waterways to improve flood mitigation, drainage and agricultural productivity across the country.
