FSC calls for tougher grant criteria to boost cane production

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is urging for more rigorous eligibility standards for cane farming grants, arguing that financial assistance should be channeled to growers capable of higher production levels. This stance was presented during a parliamentary committee's review of the annual reports for the FSC and the Sugar Cane Growers Council.

According to data shared by FSC head of agriculture Lakshman Jayaraman, out of 10,250 registered cane growers, only an estimated 3,600 to 4,200 are considered productive. Jayaraman highlighted that approximately 60% of growers are non-productive, with those producing less than 100 tons accounting for nearly 46% of all farmers but supplying only 15% of the cane to FSC.

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The balance, almost 60% of the growers, are non-productive. We have also given the data in the report, wherein we have mentioned that farmers who are having 46% of the total farmers who produce less than 100 tons, they supply only 15% of the cane for FSC.

These findings have driven the FSC's call for more stringent grant requirements and have already influenced changes in the allocation process. Jayaraman noted that last year, grants were denied to farmers producing less than 30 tons per hectare, a new measure implemented for the first time. He expressed confidence that stricter criteria would yield positive results, but cautioned that grant reforms alone are insufficient to address the broader challenges facing the sugar industry.

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So that is why we presented the data, and last year, we said there is no grant for farmers who are producing less than 30 tons per hectare. So for the first time last year. So we do see, if we are able to make more stringent criteria to adhere to these grants, definitely, think there will be some result.