Sugarcane farmers will receive financial assistance to offset rising harvesting and transport costs after the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry set aside $5 million to subsidize diesel fuel used in cane operations.

The funding, drawn from existing agriculture and sugar industry programs within the Ministry’s 2025/2026 budget, was announced as a temporary measure to support farmers and industry operators during the peak harvesting period.

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna said the allocation will provide a diesel subsidy of $2 per litre for fuel used by lorries, tractors involved in cane cartage, mechanical harvesters and locomotives dedicated to sugarcane harvesting and transportation.

Industry figures show that around 4.6 million litres of diesel were consumed by harvesting and cartage equipment during the 2025 sugarcane season.

Of that amount, approximately 2.3 million litres were used between June and August. The figures do not include the estimated 1.2 million litres of diesel consumed by Fiji Sugar Corporation generators at sugar mills during the crushing season.

The subsidy will apply from June 20 to August 31, 2026, providing short-term relief to farmers facing increasing operational expenses.

Eligible machinery and vehicles must be registered with the Fiji Sugar Corporation and meet all Land Transport Authority requirements.

While the subsidy payments will ultimately benefit sugarcane farmers, the distribution mechanism will be jointly determined by the Fiji Sugar Corporation, the Sugar Industry Tribunal and the Sugar Cane Growers Council.

The agencies will also oversee monitoring and verification processes to prevent misuse and ensure that duplicate claims are not made.

The assistance will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with consideration given to the volume of cane harvested and delivered to the mills. The program will conclude on August 31 or earlier if the allocated funds are exhausted.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation will administer the subsidy through its existing payment system following verification procedures.

Farmers seeking further information have been advised to consult the Fiji Sugar Corporation, the Sugar Cane Growers Council and the Sugar Industry Tribunal.

Meanwhile, Minister Tunabuna has called on sugarcane farmers, transport operators, harvesting contractors and sugar mills to accelerate harvesting and crushing activities as the season progresses.

The Ministry says it remains committed to strengthening the long-term sustainability of Fiji’s sugar industry while providing immediate support to growers and industry stakeholders.