POLITICAL will and collaboration are needed to revamp the sugar industry, says Sugar Cane Growers Fund CEO Raj Sharma.
Appearing on The Fiji Times’ online portal The Lens@177, Mr Sharma highlighted the challenges of the industry while offering key solutions to address these issues.
“I think it needs a political will from up there, from the minister, and a deep engagement between all the stakeholders,” he said. “We see it is there, but it needs to be improved on.
“(We need to) be very focused on what we want to achieve and to work together to get results.”
Mr Sharma said three pressing challenges faced the industry.
“For the sugar industry or the agriculture sector as a whole, the manpower on the ground or old age farmers, is one of the biggest (challenges).
“When we come back to the sugar industry, I think the cost of production and to some extent the least renewals.
“These are three critical things that I see as obstacles.”
Mr Sharma said despite these obstacles, the industry had advantages.
“But there are two beautiful parts of the sugar industry too,” he said.
“You do not have to hunt for a market. You just need to harvest and send it to FSC.”
