THE Government has contributed about $244million towards fertiliser for the sugar industry over the past 18 months, South Pacific Fertilizer Pte Ltd (SPFL) chairman Tevita Madigibuli told a Parliamentary committee last week.
Mr Madigibuli said the Government had provided significant financial support to the sugar industry through fertiliser subsidies, averaging about $13.6million a month.
“I just did an analysis over the past 18 months up to this financial year,” he said.
“Government would have contributed $244million in terms of fertiliser.
“The government has been very profound in supporting the sugar industry by way of fertiliser.”
He said Government had also supported farmers through weedicide and insecticide subsidies over the past decade, with its contribution expected to reach $18million by July next year.
Mr Madigibuli said SPFL had been directed to develop diversification plans to reduce its reliance on Government funding.
“In our last meeting with the Minister of Agriculture early this year, we were told that going forward, they want SPFL to look at diversification plans because of the need to reduce reliance on the government, which we have taken note of it.”
He said the company’s new strategic plan, beginning January 1, 2027, would focus on diversification over the next three to five years.
However, Mr Madigibuli urged Government not to abruptly withdraw its support.
“We plead to the government not to just cut the funding, but at least reduce, maybe over the past five to 10 years.
“Maybe it can decline rather than just cut it off immediately because it will result in financial loss to the company.”
