Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to boosting sugarcane production in Sigatoka as part of its efforts to revive and strengthen the sugar industry.
Speaking during the handover of the Burnt Cane Rehabilitation Grant to farmers in Sigatoka recently, Mr Singh emphasised the vital role of the sugar industry as Fiji’s second largest foreign revenue earner.
“This is our second largest industry that brings in foreign money, and we have the responsibility to increase production and uplift the industry,” he said.
Mr Singh stressed the importance of supplying more green cane to the sugar mills to ensure the quality of sugar produced is maintained, which in turn secures better returns in the overseas market.
He noted that Sigatoka and Rakiraki are two key districts the ministry is targeting for an increase in cane production.
Mr Singh also acknowledged the transportation challenges faced by Sigatoka farmers, given the distance to the Lautoka Sugar Mill.
“We are exploring ways to invest in a plantation that can extract sugarcane in Sigatoka. Through this, we can extract the sugarcane juice from the farmers in Sigatoka and then supply the juice to the factory to produce sugar. We are still working on this, but let me assure you there are plans from the Government,” he said.
