The government has initiated a new study on the sugar industry, collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has dispatched two consultants for this task. Poonyth Daneswar and Jolly Lindsay met with Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, last week.
According to the ministry, Fiji’s sugar industry is set to undergo a transformative process aimed at revitalizing its operations while tackling significant challenges that have impeded its growth and sustainability.
The upcoming study will provide technical assistance to formulate a strategic plan, along with a policy and institutional framework to address these issues. This initiative will also assess the viability of various projects, including the potential establishment of a new sugar refinery and the expansion of energy generation capabilities.
The primary objective is to create an actionable plan that enacts the essential changes within the sugar sector. The consultants will spend two weeks in the country, engaging with key stakeholders and farmers during their stay.