Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh says his Ministry is committed to helping farmers improve their work. They’re giving farmers machines like harvesters and cane cutters to make things easier, reported FBC News.
Singh knows that the machines on farms are old and fixing them is expensive. However, the Ministry is planning to ask for money in the next budget to help farmers.
He also explained why they’re hiring workers from Bangladesh. Singh says there aren’t enough skilled workers for sugarcane farms, especially during harvest time.
The Ministry is also working with the Fiji Correction Service. They’re letting inmates help harvest sugarcane in areas where machines can’t go.
This year, they’re planning to have 120 inmates help cane farmers in hard-to-reach places.
