Charan Jeeth Singh, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, recognized the sugarcane farmers’ steadfast dedication and their economic contribution to the country.

Minister Singh emphasized the government’s comprehensive efforts to support farmers and increase sugarcane production at his recent officiation of the 2024 Farmer’s Open Day at the Gugarati grounds in Ba.

In his speech, Minister Singh reaffirmed the coalition government’s support for the sugar sector and highlighted important measures that were unveiled in the national budget for 2024–2025 with the goal of promoting industrial expansion.

“We are happy to declare that the Ministry of Sugar Industry and Multi-Ethnic Affairs will receive a significant budget boost. A total of $70.1 million is given to the sugar business, and we are happy to have money for a number of important initiatives,” he stated.

Minister Singh said that farmers should anticipate more support for the Manual Harvesting Support initiative projects, which now have three times as much money ($1 million to $3 million). This improvement will enable an increase in manual subsidy support from $1 per ton to $3 per ton.

In response to the difficulties farmers have in getting their cane to the mills and in order to provide better infrastructural support for farmers, the budget for the Cane Access Road has been increased from $2 million to $4 million. The Ministry will also keep supporting current initiatives like the New Farmers & Lease Premium Assistance program, he said.

“This budget rise represents a major advancement in our dedication to bolstering the sugar sector and guaranteeing its sustained expansion and success.

Minister Singh commended the farmers for their unwavering commitment and tenacity, emphasizing that the goal of these programs is to guarantee that farmers have access to the resources they need to grow the sugar sector.