Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh said the sugar industry is not a burden on Fijian tax-payers.
Speaking in Parliament last night, he said in 2024 the Ministry was allocated $79 million an din return it yielded $232.8 million in earnings.
“This is not a burden — this is a wise and strategic investment in our people, our economy, and our future,” he said.
He added most of the revenue circulated locally, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods.
Singh emphasized that the funding supports critical programs for cane farmers, including fertilizer and weedicide subsidies, the sugarcane development and farmers’ assistance program, cane cartage subsidies, and cane access road maintenance.
“This funding is not just a number on paper — it represents our continued commitment to strengthening the backbone of our rural economy,” he said.
Mr Singh also welcomed the formation of a Special Parliamentary Committee on Sugar, to be chaired by the Prime Minister.
“This important step reflects the government’s serious commitment to the sugar industry.”
