Cane growers across Fiji’s eight cane-growing districts have been given a boost ahead of the 2026 harvesting season with the Government announcing a $5 million fuel subsidy package to help offset rising harvesting and transportation costs.
National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad said the subsidy was an example of how constructive engagement could deliver tangible benefits for farmers.
“Dialogue and providing practical solutions that the NFP is renowned for over the last 63 years is the only way forward instead of making rhetorical and non-sensical statements and trying to hoodwink growers like one so-called growers’ leader is doing,” he said.
“The fuel subsidy will go directly to growers based on a formula worked out by the Fiji Sugar Corporation, Sugar Cane Growers Council and Sugar Industry Tribunal, as well as on the tonnage of the crop harvested and delivered to the mills,” Professor Prasad said.
He said the assistance would help ease the burden on growers as they prepare for the start of the crushing season.
“The provision of the subsidy of $2 per litre of fuel now paves the way for growers to start preparations for this year’s harvesting season,” he said.
The subsidy will provide growers with $2 per litre of fuel for mechanical harvesters, tractors and lorries used in harvesting and delivering sugarcane to the three sugar mills.
The assistance will be available from June 20 to August 31 and will be subject to review thereafter, depending on fuel prices.
