THE Rarawai and Penang Cane Growers Association has been given a Fairtrade Labelling Organisation Certification (FLO-CERT) by the Fairtrade Co-ordination Unit.
Following the announcement on Wednesday, RPCGA president Gyan Singh said the future of their 6925 farmers was bright following the green light from the European Union-funded unit.
Mr Singh said farmers belonging to the association would reap the reward that resulted from the certification.
"We're looking at more than $1.5million worth of premium from our 2012 crop from this certification. It will benefit not only the farmers but the whole community," he said.
"We will focus mostly on the education of our children, the health system in the community and the establishment of proper water systems for the community. The future for the association and for the farmers is looking very bright," Mr Singh said.
The two other associations given their certification are the Lautoka Cane Growers Association and Labasa Cane Producers Association who were certified in 2010.
Fairtrade Co-ordination Unit project co-ordinator Mohammed Habib said the unit provided relevant guidance and technical assistance and support to RPCGA and to the Lautoka Cane Producers Association.
"Sugar buyer Tate & Lyle has agreed to buy 6000 tonnes of Fairtrade sugar from Fiji from the 2012 crop," he said.