The Government will introduce a $3 per tonne manual harvesting subsidy to help sugarcane growers cope with rising harvesting and transportation costs, Minister for Sugar announced today.
Speaking at a press conference, Tunabuna said the subsidy recognises the important role of manual cane cutters at a time when harvesting capacity remains under pressure.
“I am pleased to announce that the Government will provide a manual harvesting subsidy of $3.00 for every tonne of sugarcane harvested manually, excluding cane harvested through inmate labour arrangements.”
He said the initiative is aimed at easing the financial burden on growers, encouraging manual harvesting where necessary and ensuring cane is harvested and delivered to the mills on time.
Tunabuna said Government’s support for the industry extends beyond the new subsidy.
“In the new financial year, Government will continue to provide comprehensive assistance to the sugar industry through a range of existing programmes.”
These include fertiliser subsidies, weedicide assistance, funding for the maintenance and upgrading of cane access roads, support for new entrants into the sugar industry, lease renewal assistance for existing growers, and subsidies for new planting and replanting of sugarcane.
The Minister said these programmes represent a significant Government investment aimed at improving productivity, reducing farming costs and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Fiji’s sugar industry.
Tunabuna also said he would address industrial relations issues surrounding the sugar mills, adding that he was pleased to provide an update on the matter during the press conference.
