Former Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh says the Government provides up to $70million in annual assistance to keep the sector afloat
He said the funding reflected a long-standing commitment to sustaining farmers despite financial pressure on the State.
“We must recognise that the Government has invested heavily in the sugar industry, in some cases close to $70million annually, to keep the industry afloat,” he said.
He said these funds could have been used for other sectors, such as hospitals or health centres, but the decision was to continue supporting sugarcane farmers.
“This is a significant commitment.”
He said farmers had continued to produce significant output despite challenges, with production reaching around 405,000 tonnes in recent years.
“During this period, farmers produced up to around 405,000 tonnes, and I am confident the Minister will continue to work towards improving both production and pricing outcomes going forward.”
Years ago, he said, Fiji had benefitted from European Union agreements, which had guaranteed a stable price for sugar exports,
“That arrangement helped farmers receive strong returns at the time.”
He said the removal of that arrangement forced Government intervention to sustain the sector.
The removal of that support meant Government had to step in and fund the industry directly to keep it going.
The Lomé Convention was a historic, non-reciprocal trade and aid agreement between the European Union (then the EEC) and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) group of states, signed in 1975.
