Government has provided a $5 per tonne bonus payment to thousands of cane farmers who have increased cane production in the 2024 season.
Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh said the payment, which was distributed yesterday, was made in recognition of the hard work and dedication of those farmers.
Mr Singh said under the Farmers Incentive Program, about 3208 sugarcane farmers received a collective payment of $596,701.05 for about 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,” he said.
“Additionally, the ministry has provided financial assistance to farmers who had harvested their cane manually.
“A total of 7786 farmers received a payment of $3 per tonne (yesterday), amounting to $2,171,633.34 through the Manual Harvesting Program.
“This support aims to ease the financial burden of labour-intensive harvesting methods and challenges posed by rising labour costs.”
Mr Singh said 723,877.78 tonnes of cane were harvested manually in the 2024 season.
“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.”
