FOUR new members have been appointed to the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF) board.
The four are USP vice-chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra as board chairman; sugarcane research scientist Dr K S Shanmugha Sundaram; dean of the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at FNU Professor Paras Nath; and Daniel Elisha, business owner of Elisha Engineering Ltd.
Prime Minister and Minister for Sugar Voreqe Bainimarama announced the appointment via a Government statement yesterday. The appointments were made in accordance with the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji Act of 2005, and effective for three years from March 1, 2015.
He said the research and development functions pertaining to all aspects of sugarcane production were of critical importance to the continued viability and sustainability of the industry, especially in light of Fiji’s concerted efforts to effectively deal with the erosion of preferential EU market access post 2017.
He reaffirmed Government was “absolutely” committed to bring in improved varieties, husbandry practices and efficiencies in production, harvesting and transportation of sugar cane.
“Putting together the right team of people, where all the stakeholders are represented, equates to a more efficient, knowledgeable and well-informed group of individuals who will make very important decisions that will help to safeguard the industry,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“I have brought in top administrators, scientists, researchers and industry personnel to derive maximum impact and results from the work activities required of SRIF for the benefit of more than 200,000 people whose livelihood depends on this important industry.”
Other members of the board include FSC executive chairman Abdul Khan, Sugar Cane Growers Council CEO Sundresh Chetty, and Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau as a Government representative.
Several of the functions of the SRIF include designing, developing, monitoring and reviewing research programs and research strategies for the sugar industry, carrying out research into any matter relating to the sugar industry, and investigating and evaluating the requirements for research or technical and scientific progress while measuring the efficiency related to the growing of sugar cane.
