The presentation of the New Farmers and Lease Premium Assistance grants in Labasa marks a significant step in revitalizing Fiji’s sugar industry and supporting the resilience of farmers in the Northern Division. Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Hon. Charan Jeath Singh, praised Labasa as the pride and benchmark of the sector, highlighting the renewed strength of an industry once described as “fragmented and fatigued.”
Through transparency, accountability, and shared purpose, the government is driving progress toward its ambitious goal of increasing cane production by 200,000 tonnes annually. Labasa continues to lead with a strong tonnes of cane to tonnes of sugar (TCTS) ratio of 10.5, and Northern Division’s production is projected to reach 598,000 tonnes this season, up from 574,000 tonnes last year.
As part of this broader effort, $80,713.40 in grants was distributed to 14 farmers under the New Farmers and Lease Premium Assistance Programme. To date, 563 farmers have benefited from this initiative, with a total investment of $2.5 million. Farmers are also receiving the second highest cane price in Fiji’s history—$101.13 per tonne for the 2024 crop—further strengthening their livelihoods.
Minister Singh also confirmed that the Rarawai Mill, damaged by fire earlier this year, will reopen on 10 December, while plans for a new state-of-the-art sugar mill in Rakiraki are underway. These developments reflect the government’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure and ensuring long-term sustainability.
The Prime Minister’s Sugarcane Farmers Award, launched in September, was also acknowledged as a vital initiative to recognize excellence and inspire innovation. As Minister Singh noted, “This award is more than recognition, it is motivation.” It encourages farmers to embrace sustainability and excellence, reinforcing the sector’s role in Fiji’s economic and social fabric.
In essence, the grants and ongoing reforms are not only financial support but also a reaffirmation of the government’s dedication to empowering farmers, restoring confidence in the sugar industry, and securing its future as a cornerstone of Fiji’s development.