A Ba sugarcane farmer has hit back at a call to reconsider industry funding.
“Sugar remains vital to Fiji’s economy and livelihoods,” says Arvind Singh.
He criticised comments by Ministry of Finance permanent secretary Shiri Gounder on the future of the sugar industry, describing them as divisive and dismissive of the thousands of farmers who depend on the sector.
Mr Gounder questioned whether taxpayers should continue investing in what he described as a struggling industry and said reviving the sector was not possible.
Mr Singh said while challenges existed, the focus should be on reforms, investment and practical solutions to strengthen the industry for future generations.
He said the sugar industry continued to support about 200,000 people directly and indirectly, with money generated from the sector circulating within the local economy.
Mr Singh said the number of cane farmers had already declined significantly, from about 22,000 farmers to around 10,000, and warned that without meaningful support the number could continue to fall.
He called for a solution-based approach involving farmers, industry stakeholders and government rather than further debate on whether the sector should be supported.
“Everybody cannot plant cassava, dalo or yaqona. That is why we should keep the sugar industry and sit down at the round table to discuss the way forward and its survival.”
Mr Singh warned that the collapse of the sugar industry would have a major impact on communities across the Western Division, where many families rely on cane farming for their livelihoods.
Government has allocated over $500million into the country’s sugar industry over the past decade.
