SUGARCANE farmers across the Western Division were recognised for their resilience and hard work in the past year.
Officiating at the Prime Minister’s Sugar Cane Farmers Rarawai Mill Awards 2025, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna said the occasion marked a significant milestone for the industry.
“This event reflects the positive progress achieved since its launch by the Honourable Prime Minister in October last year. The initiative to recognise and reward the dedication and hard work of sugarcane farmers has been revived after more than four decades.
“It is indeed fitting to acknowledge the resilience and commitment of farmers who have continued to sustain the industry despite the many challenges they face on a daily basis.”
Meanwhile, farmersin in Sigatoka, Nadi, and Lautoka were also recognised and awarded for their contribution to the industry on Thursday at the Sugar Cane Growers Council Hall in Lautoka.
Best innovative farmer award
Lautoka – Rakesh Chanadra Narayan
Nadi – Taslim Mehtab Khan
Sigatoka – Venkteshwar Nath
Best woman farmer award
Lautoka – Vikash Mala
Nadi – Leela Wati
Sigatoka – Yoga Wati
Best sugarcane farmer award
Lautoka – Dhirendra Prasad
Nadi – Ram Krishna
Sigatoka – Mohammed Rasul
Best young farmer award
Lautoka – Praneet Prasad
Nadi – Nalin Nischal Naidu
Best innovative farmer
Ba – Deepak Kumar
Tavua – Vijendra Narayan Sharma
Rakiraki – Wasea Patrick Gock
Best woman farmer – Ba District – Sashi Pratap
Best woman farmer – Tavua District- Premila Wati
Best woman farmer – Rakiraki- Lalita
Best sugarcane farmer award Ba district – Kamlesh Chandra Sharma
Best sugarcane farmer award Tavua District – Adi Lachmi
Best sugarcane farmer award Rakiraki District – Ram Ritesh
Best young farmer – Isoa Bogidrau of Rakiraki District
Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna, left, with FSC boss Bhan Pratap Singh, middle, and best young farmer for Rakiraki District Isoa Bogidrau.
Sashi Kiran receives the best woman farmer award from Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna and TISA Insurance representative, Jenny Sharma.
University of Fiji students perform an item during the Prime Minister’s Sugar Cane Farmers Rarawai Mill Awards.
Kamlesh Sharma receives the best sugarcane farmer’s award for Ba District from Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna.
Prime Minister’s Sugar Cane Farmers Rarawai Mill Awards 2025 recipients with Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna and Tui Ba Ratu Filimoni Nale, sixth from left, after the presentation at the Ba Civic Centre. Pictures: BALJEET SINGH
Award recipients, from left, best woman farmer Tavua District Premila Wati, best woman farmer Ba District Sashi Kiran and best sugarcane farmer Tavua District Adilakshmi.
Best innovative farmer for Ba District Deepak Kumar, left, with SCGC representative Jitendra Gosai.
