Sugar and Multiethnic Affairs Minister Charan Jeath Singh has welcomed the 2025-2026 National Budget, describing it as a “perfect budget which is very friendly to all Fijians”.
“It gives all of the requirements and requests from the public and what the public was looking forward to,” Mr Singh said. “I am very pleased with this budget.”
The minister said he was especially grateful for the increased allocation for the Sugar Ministry from $70.1million to $72m.
“In regard to my allocation, there was a slight increase, and we are grateful for that.
“It gives a good signal as well that the Coalition will look after the sugar industry and continue to do so in the next financial year.”
Mr Singh said he would review in detail the new budget estimates before commenting further.
According to the 2025-2026 Budget Estimates, the ministry will continue with its subsidy program for fertilizer and weedicide, farm mechanisation including cane cartage support to farmers transporting cane from Penang to Rarawai, which ensures farmers are not burdened with the increasing costs of cartage, production and input costs.
Notable allocations include the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji with $1,115,100, the International Sugar Council with $47,000, the Sugar Tribunal received $391,300, Sugar Cane Growers Council – $782,600, Sugarcane Development and
Farmers Assistance implemented by the Fiji Sugar Corporation received $3,913,000.
The Weedicide Subsidy by FSC received $978,200, Fertiliser subsidy – $19,565,200, the Sugar Stabilisation Fund under FSC received $9,782,600, FSC Working Capital Support – $17,853,200 and the New Farmers and Lease Premium Assistance received $978,200 while the cane cartage subside between Penang and Rarawai Mill by FSC was allocated a total of $4,852,500 and the Farm Incentive Program received $978,200.
