Fiji’s Sugar Industry: Can Collaboration Save a Crucial Sector?

Fiji’s sugar industry stands at a crossroads, requiring substantial political backing and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to tackle its significant challenges, as outlined by Raj Sharma, the CEO of the Sugar Cane Growers Fund. In a recent interview, Sharma discussed pressing issues such as an aging workforce, high production expenses, and the need for modernized farming techniques.

Sharma expressed the importance of strong political engagement, stating that “it needs a political will from up there, from the minister, and a deep engagement between all the stakeholders.” He emphasized that such commitment is essential to achieve concrete improvements in revitalizing the sugar sector.

The concern around an aging demographic of sugarcane farmers poses a serious threat to the industry’s sustainability. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) corroborates this issue, identifying a labor shortage driven by dwindling interest among youth in agriculture. The FAO has highlighted a significant decrease in sugarcane yields, indicating a pressing need for innovation in farming practices and strategic partnerships between government and industry for continued growth.

Despite these hurdles, Sharma noted that the sugar industry still has strengths, including a guaranteed market for its products. “You do not have to hunt for a market,” he remarked, underlining the ability to supply directly to the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).

Previously, stakeholders and organizations, including the Nadi Chamber of Commerce, have echoed the need for reforms, advocating for modern sugar mills to boost production efficiency. These discussions have underscored the urgency of implementing cost-reduction strategies and improving operational practices to revive profitability.

Amid these significant challenges, there remains a collective optimism that strategic investments and collaborations can help rejuvenate Fiji’s sugar sector. The potential to attract younger generations back to farming, along with the adoption of innovative agricultural methods, could lead to a sustainable future that revitalizes an industry crucial to both the nation’s economy and the livelihoods of countless families.