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Chairman’s speech- Veisaru Sanatan Dharam school-

2nd August 2025

  1. Acknowledging the representative of the landowners present Turag-ni Mataqali and Landowner –Ratu Eveli Nauni.
  2. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance – Hon Professor Biman Prasad.
  3.  Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Hon. Charan Jeath Singh.
  4. United National Capital Development Fund -Country Coordinator Fiji- Ms. Zeituna Mustafa Abdi.
  5. Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry.
  6. Sun Insurance Principal Officer Mr Avikash Ram.
  7. Fellow Board Members, CEO Mr Sharma, Management & Staff.
  8. Sugar Industry stakeholders
  9. Distinguished guests, colleagues, farmers and members of the media
  10. Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me immense pleasure to be speaking from my home town school – Vesaru Sanatan Dharam school.

I thank the Head of School – Master Rajesh Kumar for allowing us to host the event hear.

Introduction

  1. Sugar Cane Growers Fund and its origination goes back to 1947 as Stabilization and Support Fund which has transformed over the years. So it now 78 years old.
  1. In January this year we have reduced interest rate from 6% to 4.5% on our loans, giving back to the farmers to a tune of $0.500m.
  1. From yesterday 1st August 2025, if your loans are not in defaults and you are below 70 Years, your loans up to $50,000 are covered under the Mortgage Protection Cover through Capital Insurance Ltd. All the growers with loans over below $30,000 are automatically covered and those over $30,000 we urge you to sign up the forms as soon as possible. This scheme will cost SCGF tune of half million dollars.  
  1. We are trying to manage the Fund in a very systematic and prudent way despite various challenges within the industry.
  1. Our plan is not only loans but complete financial package of loans, savings and insurance that is attractive and affordable. 
  1. If the production is good this season, we looking at reducing the rate to below 4% and that is without Government subsidy. Should the Government consider some subsidy we will reduce further.
  1. Today’s event –
  1. Announcement & Signing of Agreement with United National Capital Development Fund-

We are honored to be in collaboration with international development partner – United Nation Capital Development Fund and thank the Country Head Ms. Abdi for choosing SCGF to partner for Digital Financial Inclusion Program for savings and loan products with a substantial grant. Annually SCGF receives $40m of cane payment of which $9 million is deducted and $31m paid out. The Revolving Loans through Mobile Platform will be first of its kind that can be used by growers.       

  • Launch of Sun Insurance Fiji – SCGF Limited Peril Cover- affordable premium 

I take this opportunity to thank Sun Insurance (Vinaka Sun) for such great insurance package to cover 5 things – Fire, Volcanic Eruption, Earthquake, Tsunami and Lightening just for $140 premium pa for $20,000 sum insured and $169 pa for $30,000 plus value add of Funeral Cost of $1000 and Death Benefit for $2000. We have negotiated this package and it is choice for you to purchase. 

I know it has been a tough negotiations and Mr Sharma is looking at off season burnt cane insurance cover too. 

  • Loyalty Program – Ba Motor Parts

There are 21 partners under this scheme and Ba Motors Part becomes 22ndwith discounts on spare parts -12.5% discounts, one of the highest discounts. We have number of partners like private hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets, dealers of plants, machineries, hardware. 

We are in discussion with petroleum company for rebate under they Loyalty Program. This is completely free and it is an ID Card for you. You can visit our Ba office and see our staff.   

Total numbers of the farmers registered since 15th December last year stands 2092 as of 31st July 2025.

We urge you to get a SCGF Loyalty Card as there is no fee for now. 

Conclusion

There are challenging but exciting times ahead for us at SCGF and we are determined to do the best for the growers as we always put growers in the center of our business.

We have also secured another grant from Asian Development Bank of tune of US $38,000 that will improve services where will be able to get online access to see and download your lease and mortgage copies. The fund will be used also used to develop a Chabot.

In addition, we will be signing an agreement with National Development Bank of Papua New Guinea, introduced by Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and ADB Consultant. The agreement will focus –

  1. Knowledge Sharing;
  2. Capacity Building;
  3. Product and Service Development; and
  4. Research and Development.

Finally, I thank the Hon Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Minister for Multi Ethic Affairs and Sugar Industry for the time, UNCDF, Sun Insurance and Ba Motor Parts for their collaboration.

Thank you to all of you.