MORE than 6500 sugarcane farmers in Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki were this week beneficiaries of $4 per bag fertiliser subsidies handed out by the Rarawai-Penang Cane Producers Association.

Interim president Girish Kumar said the subsidy program followed a similar project for weedicides held earlier this year.

“We had a few hiccups with court action by some members against the interim administration and now that has been resolved we saw fit to provide our members with something to smile about this Diwali.

“Despite the legal issues, all our projects like the weedicide scheme and now the fertiliser subsidy continued.

“We allocated a total budget of $750,000 for fertiliser subsidies and we believe this will boost sugarcane production, in-line with government’s Strategic Action Plan to increase production from 2013 to 2017,” he said.

Mr Kumar said the association was addressing compliance issues with Fairtrade Australia New Zealand and once their house was in order, elections would be held in December.

Sugar Ministry Permanent Secretary Viliame Gucake said earlier the industry was awaiting the outcome of Rarawai-Penang Cane Producers Association elections before it commenced with appointing the new Sugar Cane Growers Council board.