Fiji’s Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, has made a clear appeal to “absentee farmers,” urging them to surrender their cane farm leases. This appeal is part of the government’s push to enhance sugarcane production in the country. Singh pointed out that many of these absentee farmers reside abroad—in countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand—while their leased lands remain unproductive.
He remarked, “These are absentee farmers and they hold land leases which produce nothing,” emphasizing the inefficiency of holding land that is not being actively farmed. Singh stated his intention to reallocate these leases to individuals who are more committed to cultivating the land effectively.
This appeal aligns with previous warnings from Singh, where he highlighted issues within the sugar industry in Fiji, including declining sugarcane yields that have dropped dramatically from an average of 100 tons per hectare to about 47 tons. The decline has been attributed to factors such as poor land management, insufficient support from the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), and the failure of some farmers to meet their financial obligations. The Minister has been vocal about the need for accountability, urging farmers to either commit fully to their responsibilities or step aside for those eager to contribute.
Singh’s insistence on accountability can offer a hopeful path forward for the struggling sugarcane sector, presenting an opportunity for revitalization through increased productivity. With a collective effort and genuine engagement from farmers, there is potential for the industry to see improvement and growth in the coming years.
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