Mill area committees have been re-established in the sugar district areas with the Lautoka Mill Area Committee meeting last week for the first time.
Members of the committee are from the sugar industry stakeholders such as the Ministry of Sugar, Fiji Sugar Corporation, Sugar Cane Growers Council, Sugar Industry Tribunal and farmers.
“The Government is very much keen to see the sugar industry bounce back with the increase in cane production,” said Minister for Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh.
“To achieve that, one of our key objectives is to bring farmers back to the farm and for that, their problems need to be heard and dealt with,” he said.
“Government is now putting words into action, such as the formation and re-establishment of the committees and sub-committee that will bring farmers, millers, and the sugar industry tribunal together to meet and address concerning issues.
“This will allow synergies, and reduce the timeframe and delay of addressing issues such as cane carting, cane harvesting, tram line track, labour, and other issues faced by the sugarcane farmers.”
The objective of the Mill Area Committee is to address legitimate grievances within the area and to secure maximum production of cane and sugar.
