Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh says the government remains resolute in its commitment to correcting historical wrongs.
In his budget response in Parliament this week, Mr Singh said the sugar industry is expected to benefit significantly from the budget through its $70.1million allocation.
In total, the ministry requested funding to continue 13 initiatives introduced in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
“The primary concern for any canefarmer has always been the amount they receive for their cane payments,” Mr Singh said.
“As highlighted in the Deputy Prime Minister’s budget speech, we have made historic strides by paying $91.38 per ton for the 2022 season and $101.08 per ton for the 2023 season under this government.
“Despite the ongoing favourable cane prices, I am grateful that the Government has allocated a $4m sugar price stabilisation budget.”
In addition, $4m has also been allocated towards the Cane Access Roads Program, which Mr Singh would ensure the temporary repair of more than 3000 roads, culverts, and crossings.
“Moreover, the ministry has once again allocated $1m for the provision of cane cage bins.
“We expect to fabricate over 40 cage-bins, enabling the transfer of mechanically harvested cane via the rail network, which is the cheapest mode of transportation for cane.”
Some initiatives of the ministry:
- Sugarcane Development and Farmers Assistance Program – $4m;
- Farm Incentive Program – $1m;
- Sugarcane Farm Mechanisation Program – $500,000;
- Manual Harvesting Support Program – $3m;
- Fiji Corrections Services (manual cane harvesting) – $320,000;
- Fertiliser Subsidy Program – $20m;
- Weedicide subsidies: $1m;
- Cartage cost subsidies – $4.9m;
- Drainage – $5.5m;
- Fiji Sugar Corporation capital support – $15m; and
- Multi-Ethnic Affairs budget – $6m.
