The shortage of cane-cutting labour is putting extra pressure on growers during this year’s harvest.

Government is increasing support now, while looking at new ways to keep the industry running in the long term.

Cane growers facing higher harvesting costs are receiving more support this season, with Government increasing the manual harvesting assistance from two to five dollars per tonne.

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry, Tomasi Tunabuna, highlighted that the payment has also been brought forward to help growers manage their cash flow during the harvest.

“The $5 per tonne grant is now being paid to the farmers’ first delivery payment and will continue until the end of 2026” Tunabuna highlighted.

The labour shortage remains a challenge, especially during the busy harvesting period, with Government also using Fiji Corrections Services to provide additional harvesting support.

“One such strategic initiative is the engagement of our Fiji Correction Services in the sugarcane harvesting program, contributing to the sector’s operational needs, while also supporting broader rehabilitation and community reintegration of objectives” he said.

Government is also considering foreign workers and testing new harvesting machinery, with the aim of reducing the industry’s dependence on manual labour over time.

“A sustainable approach will therefore require greater focus on mechanization, innovation, and adoption of technologies that can strengthen productivity, reduce labor dependency, and build industry resilience over the long term” Tunabuna added.

For growers, the focus now is on getting enough labour to bring in this season’s crop, while longer-term changes could reshape how cane is harvested in Fiji.

By: Joeli Ragoneliwa