Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has issued a grave warning regarding the ongoing crisis in Fiji’s sugar industry, citing various pressures jeopardizing its future. Speaking last Friday, he emphasized the urgent need for a special committee to address these challenges, including declining yields, outdated infrastructure, climate vulnerability, financial instability, and the departure of young farmers from the sector.
Rabuka remarked, “For generations, farmers, labourers, and families have toiled under the sun to make the sugar industry a pillar of our economy. Yet today, we face hard truths.” He noted that the number of cane growers has drastically fallen from previous decades, criticizing past management of the sector as inadequate and politically driven. Rabuka stated that under the previous administration from December 2006 to December 2022, farmers were poorly advised by “self-professed experts” unqualified to support the industry.
This situation resonates with the insights shared by former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, who recently attributed the industry’s struggles to government inaction and mismanagement. He highlighted significant declines in production, with 2024’s cane crop at 1.3 million tonnes being a historic low, which he argues is more devastating than past natural disasters like Cyclone Winston.
Chaudhry’s concerns align with Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad’s acknowledgment of the impact of political instability on the industry, particularly following the cessation of European Union support in 2007. Recent initiatives, however, have aimed to support farmers, including financial help for cane planting and fertilizer subsidies.
The Prime Minister’s call for a renewed focus on modernization in the sugar sector echoes the sentiments of Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh, who previously highlighted the need for operational reforms and structural improvements. Previous discussions among stakeholders have sparked optimism about exploring new markets, including potential diversification into biofuels, which could rejuvenate the industry.
While facing steep challenges, both the government officials and industry leaders share a vision for revitalization, recognizing that collaboration and commitment to positive change remain pivotal. With the commitment to address historical grievances and pursue innovative strategies, there is still hope that Fiji’s sugar industry can reclaim its critical role in supporting the national economy.
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