Former Member of Parliament and Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) figure Niko Nawaikula is urging the Fijian Government to provide a rationale for its ongoing support of the sugar industry, which he claims is outdated. Nawaikula made this assertion during a submission from the Stand with Niko (SWN) Advocacy Group to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights concerning the Sugar Industry (Amendment) Bill (Bill No. 23 of 2024) on February 18.
He highlighted that the sugar industry has received over $500 million in subsidies and financial bailouts but has consistently failed to meet its commitments. With the government’s continuous support, he accused the industry of being unsustainable and discriminatory against other agricultural sectors, including dalo and yaqona farmers, who receive minimal aid.
“The time for a reckoning has arrived,” Nawaikula stated, calling for urgent action and a comprehensive overhaul of the sugar industry and the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC). He argued that significant reforms are necessary for the sugar sector’s future sustainability, demanding an innovative approach to reform instead of superficial changes.
Nawaikula’s sentiments echo concerns raised by various stakeholders in Fiji’s sugar industry, such as sugarcane farmer Arvind Singh and Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials, who have been vocal about the industry’s needs for modernization and improved management practices. They have called for significant cost-reduction measures and diversification efforts to protect and revitalize the sector amidst declining production levels.
As the industry grapples with challenges such as a shrinking base of active sugarcane farmers—with numbers dropping from 22,000 to about 12,000—Nawaikula’s advocacy should be seen as part of the broader dialogue surrounding Fiji’s agricultural future. With innovative strategies and greater collaboration among all industry participants, there is hope that restructuring efforts can help revive Fiji’s once-thriving sugar sector.
While the situation is dire, collective efforts to address inefficiencies, improve practices, and seek alternative sources of funding could pave the way for a more resilient agricultural framework in Fiji.
Leave a comment