SUGAR industry stakeholders will begin a joint assessment exercise today to gauge the extent of damage caused to farms around the country by the floods.
The outcome of the assessment could see cane growers receive government assistance which could be in the form of grants.
A similar assessment is also being carried out in the agriculture sector, with agriculture officials confirming that damage to crops was substantial.
In a meeting held last Thursday, sugar industry stakeholders agreed to an assistance package to growers, the details of which will be confirmed once assessments have been completed.
"Everything hinges on the assessment and the extent of damage to crops," said Sugar Cane Growers Council's acting chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty.
"Whether it will be in the form of grants or other assistance will be decided after detailed analysis of assessments," he said.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation's executive chairman Abdul Khan also confirmed that talks of an aid package will be tabled after the completion of field assessments.
"The government is looking at putting together some sort of assistance package not only for the sugar industry but also for the agriculture sector.
"However, the details of the aid package will be announced once the assessments are completed," he said.
Agriculture deputy permanent secretary Keshwar Reddy said there were many forms of assistance available to vegetable and crop farmers and details on crop damage and assessment results would be announced today.
"There are various forms of assistance available and this will be determined after completion of analysis next week," he said.