Fiji’s sugar industry is in urgent need of revitalization, with a target of producing approximately 4 million tonnes of cane to restore stability, according to Minister for Sugar Industry and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh. This production goal is essential for the sustainability of sugar mills and to support the farmers and workers reliant on the industry.
Minister Singh made this statement while presenting the Sugar Industry Amendment Bill of 2024. He expressed optimism that meeting this target is feasible through the dedication of productive farmers committed to improving their yields. Highlighting the necessity for efficient farming practices, he stated, “The sugar industry has to survive. It’ll survive.” Singh indicated a shift in necessity from a large number of farmers to a core group of around 10,000 to 12,000 productive individuals to achieve sustainable cane production.
In his address, Singh noted significant interest from potential investors, including those from China, eager to establish mills in the country. However, he flagged the challenge of absentee farmers who reside overseas, urging for collaboration with other ministries to identify unproductive landholders and reclaim that land for local cultivators.
This initiative resonates with previous discussions about the sugar industry’s struggles, including a notable decline in production due to factors like climate change and inefficiencies within the Fiji Sugar Corporation. In a prior report, Singh acknowledged a drop of approximately 1.33 million tonnes in sugar production for the 2024 season, emphasizing that such reductions hit farmers’ incomes hard, as the operational capacity of mills impacts their earnings.
Despite current challenges, there are signs of hope as the government seeks to enhance production practices while engaging both current and eligible new farmers. The commitment to reclaim falling lands and redistribute them to active cultivators aims not only to boost efficiency but also to strengthen the local economy.
Fiji’s sugar industry, once a pivotal component of the economy, has faced many hurdles, but the renewed focus on accountability, productivity, and innovation through governmental and community involvement suggests a brighter path ahead. Minister Singh’s emphasis on the need for engagement and responsibility among all stakeholders serves as a crucial step toward recovery, ensuring the sugar industry’s resilience in future seasons.
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