SUGAR Minister Charan Jeath Singh has moved to allay public fears over recent discussions about the future of the country’s sugar mills.
Mr Singh has been quoted as saying that Chinese experts have recommended consolidating the country’s sugar milling operations.
However, in clarifying the matter, Mr Singh said no decision had been made and that the discussions remain at an exploratory stage.
“This is a verbal discussion that we currently have. The experts have invited us to China, and we are traveling next week,” Mr Singh said.
“We will then get a full report.”
Mr Singh said the Ba mill was old and costly to maintain, prompting recommendations for a replacement facility. However, he dismissed claims this would result in Fiji operating with just one mill.
“What they’re saying is that a lump sum mill will be there for all of them.
“But because of the low production of cane from Sigatoka all the way to Rakiraki, especially if you look at all the good land where the cane is currently being planted, much of the land has been converted into commercial lots or residential lots.
“So, there’s a huge decline in sugar cane coming out of those farms because the usage has changed.
“And from Rakiraki towards Ba, when the Rakiraki sugar mill was basically dismantled, a lot of farmers moved out. And we have tried to encourage them to come back.”
Mr Singh said the priority should be increasing sugarcane production before considering the establishment of additional mills.
He said unless farmers are coming back to their farms and the tonnage increases, it’s not viable to have a mill in Rakiraki.
He added that the Chinese consultants have identified land on higher ground near the existing Ba mill as a potential site for a new sugar mill, given the region’s vulnerability to flooding.
A government delegation will travel to China next week to assess recommendations before any formal decisions are made.
