Sugar Industry Future Depends on Budget

The future of Fiji’s sugar industry depends on the upcoming national budget. Minister Charan Jeath Singh says plans for modernisation, farmer support, and boosting production will rely on the funding allocated.

The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry said that while all ministries hope for more funding, real progress depends on what the Ministry of Finance approves.

“We’ve been told that our budget could increase in both sugar and multi ethnic grants this year but until the budget is officially announced, everything remains dependent on what we’re allocated.”

He added that the ministry aimed to continue its support for sugarcane farmers through stable cane prices and increased subsidies.

“Our main goal is to keep sugarcane prices at the current level so farmers aren’t disadvantaged and improve the subsidies they rely on,” said Mr Singh.

The ministry plans to continue the introduction of modern equipment such as double-row cane planters to increase yield per hectare.

“With proper funding, we can double the productivity of our farmers from 47 to 100 tonnes per hectare. But we need the money to bring in more equipment and train farmers in modern methods.”

Repairing aging sugar mills is also one of the ministry’s priorities.

“Even fixing the mills which have been neglected for years, requires serious investments.”

Mr Singh shared the importance of putting in more money to get the sugar mills repaired so that farmers would not have to wait too long in the mill area.

Until the official budget is tabled by the Ministry of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, the Multi Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Ministry’s ambition remains on hold.

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