The Special Parliamentary Committee on Sugar convened for the first time after National Farmers Union General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry formally appealed to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, said Mr Chaudhry.
He added he asked the Prime Minister to intervene and resolve the ongoing impasse in the sugar industry.
In a letter dated June 30, Chaudhry urged the Prime Minister to take charge in his capacity as Chair of the committee, writing: “It is my request that you take charge of the matter as the Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Sugar Industry to facilitate a resolution of the current impasse.”
The committee subsequently launched a fact-finding tour of the Western cane belt, where hundreds of growers voiced their concerns over cane prices and the future of the industry.
The Rakiraki meeting proved to be an emotional and, at times, tense affair as farmers voiced their frustrations over rising production costs, declining returns and what they described as years of neglect.
Representing the growers, a Ra businessman, cane farmer and former Member of Parliament presented what he described as the realities confronting farmers, outlining the financial pressures threatening the future of the industry.
A consistent message from growers was that they would not harvest unless the cane delivery payment was increased to $60 per tonne.
Farmers argued that harvesting at the current proposed payment of $47 per tonne would leave many operating at a loss.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledged the concerns raised and said the committee would examine the industry’s cost structure before discussing possible options with the Fiji Sugar Corporation.
