News

Sugar farmers to benefit from continued subsidies on fertiliser

January 31, 2018 1:22 am

More sugar is expected to be produced with government continuing its annual grant to subsidise the cost of fertiliser and adding a grant for weedicide for the first time.

Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Yogesh Karan, says government has continued to review the subsidies to ensure the sustainability of the sector.

This subsidy has now increased up to 82 percent since 2016 with more than half the cost of a 50 kg fertiliser now being paid by the government.

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“The increase of fertiliser has being purchased by the farmers, one is that of the reduced price so they only pay only $25 dollars, sorry $20 and the rest is subsided by government for each bag of 50kg. What we’ve seen is that the statistics are very good and the results would be better yield, that’s what’s expected.”

Karan formalised the signing of the agreements today with the South Pacific Fertilisers Limited company and the Sugar Cane Growers Council.

Council chief executive, Sundresh Chetty, says this assistance is critical for farmers allowing them to be able to plant good quality cane.

Chetty adds this year, the aim is to produce at least 2 million tonnes of sugar in their first harvest.