The Chairman of the Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC), Ahmed Bhamji, has made an urgent call for a review of the governing legislation for the Council, arguing that outdated provisions are significantly hampering progress and investment within the sugar industry. Speaking at the opening of the SCGC’s new office in Lautoka, Mr. Bhamji emphasized that this critical issue has been on the agenda for the past three years but now requires immediate action.
During his address, he pointed out that the current legal restrictions are limiting the Council’s ability to support a broader array of stakeholders, such as cooperatives, companies, and even the families of growers interested in small business ventures. “We cannot support the wider farming community — like cooperatives, companies engaged in the industry, or even growers’ spouses who may want to set up backyard poultry or beehive industries,” he stated.
This year alone, several cooperatives and individuals sought assistance for purchasing essential equipment like harvesters and trucks but were unable to secure funding through the Council due to these legislative constraints. Mr. Bhamji noted that while applications were submitted for funding to acquire harvesters and trucks, the Act currently only allows the SCGC to lend to contracted farmers, forcing applicants to seek loans from other financial institutions like the Fiji Development Bank.
The limitations of the existing legislation extend further, preventing collaborations that could enhance industry strength. Mr. Bhamji discussed the potential for joint ventures with the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) or other organizations, highlighting how the current laws stand in the way of such initiatives.
He emphasized the urgent need for a legislative review to modernize the operations of the SCGC and to unlock new opportunities for growth and sustainability within the sugar sector. This reform could lead to a revitalization of the industry, benefitting not just farmers but the entire agricultural community involved in sugar production.
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