Opposition MP Viam Pillay has labeled the 2025 crushing season as a devastating chapter for Fiji’s sugar industry, marking it as a significant violation of trust and an economic catastrophe for thousands of cane farmers. In a strongly-worded statement, Pillay highlighted that the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, had assured Parliament that all cane would be crushed, even if it required mills to operate until the end of January. However, with the closure of the mills, Pillay claims that this promise has collapsed.
According to Pillay, the closure has resulted in unprecedented levels of stand-over cane, with an estimated 85,000 tonnes still unharvested within the Western Division, spanning from Sigatoka to Rakiraki. He described the current situation as the worst stand-over crisis in Fiji’s modern history. “The Minister claims that stand-over occurs annually, but this year is different. This is a record-breaking disaster, and it has unfolded under his leadership,” Pillay stated.
He estimated that farmers have incurred losses exceeding $8.9 million in potential income, funds critical for covering school fees, loan payments, and the purchase of fertilizers and fuel. Pillay criticized claims that the early closure of mills saved roughly $50,000 daily, arguing that these savings are negligible compared to the substantial losses faced by farmers.
The prolonged non-operation of the Rarawai Mill has particularly devastated the Western Division, leaving farmers with unharvested cane during the challenging wet season. He dismissed excuses attributing the closure to weather conditions and labor shortages as inadequate.
Pillay is now calling for immediate compensation for affected farmers, a complete refund of penalties related to burnt cane, and a transparent investigation into the mills’ operational failures. He also advocates for an emergency recovery plan from the Fiji Sugar Corporation. “This issue transcends politics; it is about delivering justice to those who are the backbone of this industry,” he asserted.
This situation underscores the critical need for effective management and transparency in the sugar industry to protect the livelihoods of farmers and ensure the industry’s sustainability moving forward.
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