Fiji’s Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh has expressed concerns regarding the conduct of staff at the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), stating that instead of assisting farmers, they have been indulging in kava and chicken curry at the farmers’ expense. During a recent parliamentary session, Singh emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable in the industry and has warned FSC employees that they must fulfill their responsibilities or leave.
He highlighted a troubling trend where FSC workers are no longer actively supporting farmers, contrasting current behavior with that of previous years when farm advisors and field officers regularly visited farmers to provide guidance and assistance. Singh reiterated that hard work is essential, and any staff member not willing to contribute should reconsider their position in the industry.
Singh also attributed the decline in cane production to the farmers themselves, pointing out that a significant factor is the failure to replant cane in a timely manner. He noted that historical production levels have drastically decreased from 100 tonnes per hectare to around 47 tonnes, while production in other countries remains steady at approximately 100 tonnes per hectare.
To boost production, he encouraged farmers to focus on increasing yield from smaller plots rather than holding larger areas of land, which often results in lower productivity. He outlined efforts to introduce mechanization to assist farmers and improve production, aiming for a target of at least 75 to 80 tonnes per hectare. Singh urged farmers to reevaluate their land usage, stressing that effective production does not require extensive acreage.