World Rugby and Fijian Drua
I am guessing, in the eyes of World Rugby, after infancy years of support, Fijian Drua Rugby has truly come of age. In the eyes of World Rugby, our Drua’s brand name is well established. Fijian Drua is now, supposedly strong enough to stand on its own feet. The Drua has without doubt made its successful and handsome contribution to the Fiji economy. I pray the Coalition Government, in spite of all its challenges, demands and needs today, recognises and duly incentivises Fijian Drua with the injection of some vitally needed finances. With careful mentoring, the Drua brand name will grow in leaps and bounds. The Fijian Drua definitely deserves some financial help from the 2026/27 National Budget. And oh, please remember us too. The surviving betrayed senior FNPF pensioners from 2012. Remember us in our fading years of much pain, aggravated loss and suffering — most especially those in the lower income brackets. We were all dealt a cruel and heartless blow by FNPF at the bullying hands of both Bai and Kai. (Justice must prevail. We are not asking much. Give back what was taken away. Our pensions remain irrevocable. There is more than enough in the Pension Buffer Funds from 2011 — plus interest to pay us asap. Restorative Justice and Restitution cannot be denied). The world is watching, intently. PM Rabuka you have the executive powers and the golden key. We are counting on you. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Climate change
Climate change is amplifying the frequency and intensity of floods, landslides, droughts, and extreme weather events worldwide, and Fiji is not exempt from these escalating challenges. What’s deeply concerning is that environmental awareness often remains confined to seminars and symbolic celebrations. People pass resolutions, distribute certificates, and share images, but tangible outcomes are rarely observed. Planting a single sapling may seem straightforward, yet the real challenge lies in safeguarding it from animals, watering it during dry periods, and ensuring its long-term survival. The success of tree-planting campaigns should not be measured by the number of saplings planted but by how many thrive into fully grown, healthy trees. As individuals, we cannot afford to wait for governments or large organisations to take the lead. Simple acts like proper waste management, conserving water sources, and nurturing plants in our local communities can contribute significantly. Nature does not need more speeches or photographs — it calls for genuine, consistent action. When observing World Environment Day, let’s pause to reflect: Is it merely about planting a single sapling once a year, or should it be about fostering environmental care every single day? Let’s pledge to turn conservation into a continuous endeavor rather than a one-off celebration. What can we do to make a start today? It begins with small yet impactful changes at home. Protecting the environment starts in our immediate surroundings. With collective determination and conscious actions, we can drive meaningful change for both our planet and future generations. Suresh Chand Nadi
Genuine visitors
Decades back, one could have a photograph taken in a studio with a picture of the Taj Mahal or glaciers in the background. Today, technology could place captions about anyone in any corner of the universe. One who has never been abroad finds it amazing to fool anyone with technology. And that ‘one’ could condemn Fiji and Fijians as a whole in every aspect of their lives. Instead, prayers for the Middle East remain the best option from the so-called sarcastic being for millions suffering beyond expectations. A genuine visitor to many countries, understands the circumstances and accepts the pros and cons of each country. Today’s Thought from The Fiji Times of June 22.
He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. – Lau Tzu DAVID SUSHIL LAL Lautoka
Messi, Ronaldo weave magic!
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 yesterday, and 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo continue to mesmerise football lovers with their performance at this year’s World Cup (WC). Messi, who made his WC debut in Germany in 2006, created history by playing in his sixth WC this year. He scored a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening match and topped that up with two fantastic goals against Austria. Messi guided Argentina to WC victory over France in 2022 and walked away with the Golden Ball Award which he also won in 2014. Affectionately known as ‘La Pulga’ or ‘The Flea’ in Spanish, the iconic number 10 engraved his name in history books by becoming the competition’s all-time highest goal scorer, with 18 goals. In this WC, Messi has scored all of Argentina’s five goals. Ronaldo, who made his WC debut in 2006, grabbed a brace for Portugal against Uzbekistan in their 5-0 win. Ronaldo created history by becoming the first player to score in six different WCs. Messi and Ronaldo are arguably the greatest of their time. They work hard on the field despite their age and weave their magic. Both footballers are assets to their nations! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Cost of fuel and NCDs
Is there a link between the rising cost of fuel and non communicable diseases (NCDs)? Well whatever one’s opinion, as the price of groceries and transportation increases, the family budgets become so stretched that cheaper and processed food items dominate the kitchens. Unfortunately, our lower income earners in society are more likely to resort to affordable food items which are less healthy, thereby increasing chances of NCDs. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Missing in action
The other day, the Minister for Labour, Agni Deo Singh, said the PALM worker was sighted by their liaison officer but went missing soon after. He is still missing in action. I guess we need to hire Rambo to hunt him down! Arun Prasad Dilkusha, Nausori
Quote of the day
So many people rely on that cow that is not giving Fiji any milk. — PM Rabuka about Fiji’s ailing sugar industry. I thought for a moment there PM Rabuka was talking about himself. Many people also relied on him after the last election to deliver change which I believe never materialised. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Learning curve
I believe soldiers, police, and all other security force members must now be aware that following orders may not protect them in a court of law. Dan Urai Lautoka
Housing crisis
It’s sad that the majority of working people worldwide are trapped in a relentless cycle of working purely to keep up with bills, having long since abandoned any hope of ever getting on the property ladder. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo certainly showed his goal hunting prowess. He scored two beautiful goals against Uzbekistan. Portugal showed the class that was expected of them. Ronaldo played the full 90+ minutes, delivering the message that age doesn’t matter. The will does. His commitment was more than mere football. It was poetry on the pitch. The last stanza would have sounded very pleasing if he had completed the hat-trick. Anyways, I was wondering why football fans came to look for the GOAT at the soccer arena! Arun Prasad Dilkusha, Nausori
Cartage relief that killed the cane grower
On June 24, 2026, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approved a 25.4 per cent increase in sugarcane cartage rates and a 30.3 per cent hike in mechanical harvesting costs, effective immediately. The stated rationale: to help operators absorb the fuel price spike and keep services running during the 2026 crushing season. What the FCCC has not said: growers received zero relief. The mathematics are unforgiving. A grower producing 100 tonnes at current Fiji Sugar Corporation price of $85 per tonne grosses $8500. Against this, post-FCCC rates cost: mechanical harvesting $2463, cartage $3762 — subtotal $6225. Field operations (ploughing, fertiliser at $35 per bag, chemicals, labour) add $6890. Total cost: $13,115. Cost per tonne: $131.15. At $85 per tonne, the grower loses $46.15 per tonne, or $4615 per 100-tonne harvest. For a 500-tonne farm — standard for established Fiji growers — annual loss is $23,075. This is not break-even farming. This is bankruptcy. he Government, through FSC, did not raise the grower price. Cartage contractors — private firms —got immediate relief. Growers got a deficit. This is the moment of truth for Fiji’s sugar industry. Two hundred thousand people — FSC mill workers, laboratory staff, harvesting crews, lorry operators, rail workers, port handlers — depend on sugarcane flowing to the mills. The entire western and northern economy, from Sigatoka to Ra, and Northern Vanua Levu runs on the cane cycle. Strip that, and you strip employment, wages, school costs and food, remittances, business turnover. The perverse incentive is now explicit: operators have been subsidized to keep working. Growers have been left in the lurch, holding negative margins. The grower’s rational response is to stop. Plant cassava. Switch to vegetables. Walk away. And once the growers walk, the harvesters have no cane to cut, the cartage contractors no loads to haul, the mills no raw material to crush. The cascade accelerates: FSC furloughs staff; towns lose wages; schools lose children; families remit less; banks foreclose. That is D-Day. The Government faces a binary choice: subsidise the grower to match the $118-per-tonne cost threshold, or watch the industry implode and manage 200,000 unemployment claims it cannot afford to pay. There is no third option. “Market forces” is a euphemism for abandonment. The Minister for Sugar either saves the golden goose — the one that lays the golden egg supporting the entire region — or presides over its slaughter. Right now, policy is pointing toward the knife. Anecdotal evidence shows the lack of empathy by successive sugar ministers and the FSC. My advice is that cane growers urgently and immediately give up sugarcane farming for good, reverting to other cash crops which will give growers cash flow. Pineapple, pumpkin, watermelon, cassava, sweet potatoes, lentils and many other crops like rice in the wet season, will make the farmer self-sufficient. He will also be able to leave the anxiety of the dog-eat-dog style of politics of the FSC, SCGC and the SCGF and the forever revolving Sugar ministers who do not have the growers’ concerns at heart. The grower will have a changed lifestyle, be very happy, where they will at least feel valued and not have to dance to the tune of the painful exploitations that they keep experiencing at the moment. DR SUSHIL K SHARMA Lautoka
