The Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) has kicked off a preliminary review of its governing law, the SCGF Act 1984, in a bid to bring four decades of framework into step with today’s investment and financial service environment. The exercise, prompted by recommendations from the Asian Development Bank and Parliamentary Standing Committees, aims to modernize the act while keeping the fund robust and sustainable as a trust and ensuring the returns continue to benefit the co-founders and the rural population the SCGF serves.
SCGF Chief Executive Officer Raj Sharma said the 1984 act, with origins dating back to 1959, has seen substantial changes in the intervening years. “In the last 41 years a lot has changed, and new business dynamics have emerged,” he noted. The review is designed to align the legislation with current investment and financial service trends in the sugar sector and beyond, without compromising the fund’s core role as a Government Statutory Authority that supports rural communities.
The process will not be rushed. Sharma emphasized that the review will focus on strengthening governance and accountability, addressing any flaws or contradictions, and making the framework more enforceable. He added that SCGF has already engaged with more than 200 growers and sugar industry organizations across all mill areas, underscoring the breadth of stakeholder input driving the reform.
Growers have responded positively to the initiative, and the CEO said the consultation will continue with all stakeholders and government agencies before the fund submits its recommendations to the Ministry and, if appropriate, advances to Cabinet. Submissions on the review are open through August 31, 2025.
Broader governance context
The reform effort sits within a wider push to modernize governance in Fiji’s sugar industry. Earlier discussions around the Sugar Industry Amendment Bill 2024 highlighted calls to standardize terminology and strengthen participant representation, including governance changes such as replacing “directors” with “board members” to align with the Companies Act and ensure clearer accountability. There is also continuing emphasis on ensuring diverse and fair representation for productive and non-productive growers, along with safeguards to prevent governance lapses and ensure transparent electoral processes. The current SCGF reform aligns with these themes, signaling a broader commitment to better governance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement in the sector.
What this means for farmers and the industry
If the review leads to concrete changes, farmers could see a more transparent, accountable, and resilient SCGF structure that preserves the fund’s stability while potentially widening access to governance improvements and financial services. Stakeholders can expect ongoing updates as the process unfolds, with final proposals likely to influence how the SCGF operates, how funds are managed, and how benefits are delivered to cane growers and rural communities.
Summary
The SCGF is undertaking a deliberate, consultative review of the SCGF Act 1984 to modernize the legal framework in line with current investment and financial service trends. With input already gathered from hundreds of growers and industry bodies, and a deadline for submissions set at August 31, 2025, the process aims to strengthen governance, accountability, and enforceability while ensuring the fund remains robust and continues to benefit its co-founders and Fiji’s rural population.
Additional notes
– The move complements ongoing governance discussions in the sugar sector, including the push for clearer candidate eligibility, improved representation for growers, and strengthened oversight, as highlighted in related industry debates.
– Readers can expect future coverage on how the proposed changes could impact SCGF operations, financing options for farmers, and broader sector resilience.
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