MORE than 150 rice farmers are expected to benefit from a $150,000 government grant allocated to Fiji Rice Limited (FRL) for rice planting in the current financial year.
In a statement, Fiji Rice said the Government-subsidised rice planting program aims to support rice farmers by subsidising planting costs and increasing production.
Chairman Raj Sharma said the funding is expected to increase national production by 400 tonnes.
“With the current price of $1000 per acre of rice, we expect close to $400,000 that will be generated to these farmers,” he said.
Mr Sharma added they were looking to remodel the business.
“There are lots of incentives coming from the Government. Next week, we are looking at fertilizer and weedicide subsidies coming for these farmers that were not there before or in very limited amounts.
“Last year, the price per acre was also increased from $850 to $1000.”
The statement said commercial farmers would be allocated a maximum grant for seven acres, amounting to $2100, with farmers required to contribute 50 per cent of the total cost.
Commercial farmers are classified as farmers who have a land size of more than 20 acres.
Rice farmers to benefit from $150,000 grant
