Minister ensures cane production on track, targets 200,000-tonne boost

The sugar industry reforms are not just policy adjustments.

Minister of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh said they were about restoring trust and ensuring that every dollar spent reached our farmers.

He made the remarks at the launch of 2025 Prime Minister’s Sugarcane Farmers Awards at the Fiji Sugar Corporation training centre in Lautoka yesterday.

The sugar industry had set an achievable target of increasing cane production by 200,000 tonnes each year.

“We will hit this target by the end of this season,” Mr Singh said.

“This will put the industry firmly on a path to recovery and ensure steady growth in future seasons.’’

Mr Singh said that prior to the unfortunate fire incident, significant investments had been made in the FSC Rarawai Mill, particularly in upgrading the boiler system, which had been the main cause of breakdowns in previous years.

“We are working to improve mill performance through better management, equipment upgrades, and continuous oversight,’’ he said.

Before the fire the mill was operating well this season, showing clear signs of improvement.

“We will recover from this setback and bounce back stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future,’’ Mr Singh said.

The industry has begun laying the groundwork for a new mill to compensate for the loss of the Penang Mill, which was dismantled by the previous Government. Mr Singh said that the mill was far more than just a processing plant. It is the heartbeat of a community, the foundation of local livelihoods, and a proud symbol of our nation’s resilience.

The ministry has rolled out new, farmer focused programmes, including:

• The Manual Labour Subsidy Programme to ease the burden of harvesting costs;
• The Farmers Incentive Programme to reward productivity and innovation;
• The New Farmers Grant and Lease Renewal Support to bring more land under cane cultivation and encourage young farmers.

“We have also restructured outdated programmes like the Sugarcane Development and Farmers Assistance Programme to ensure funds actually deliver results on the ground,’’ Mr Singh said.

“The Prime Minister’s Sugarcane Farmers Award that we launch today is part of this broader reform agenda and symbolises our Government’s commitment to recognise and reward those who are the backbone of this industry the farmers,’’ he said.

Mr Singh said that this initiative sends a clear and powerful message under this Government, the sugar industry matters again.

Feedback: zalika.a@fijisun.com.fj