Minister for Sugar and Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna will today lead his first round of stakeholder consultations aimed at addressing key challenges facing Fiji’s sugar industry ahead of the 2026 harvesting season.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry has scheduled two consultation sessions with sugar industry stakeholders, including sugarcane farmers, lorry owners, drivers and mill representatives.
The first consultation will be held today at the Rarawai Temple in Ba, followed by a second session tomorrow at the SCGC Hall in Lautoka. Both meetings will run from 11am to 1pm.
According to the consultation program, discussions will focus on preparations for the upcoming harvesting season, mill readiness, the ongoing fuel crisis and strategies to reduce its impact on the industry.
Stakeholders are also expected to discuss the forecast and guaranteed price for the 2026 sugar crop, along with broader policy concerns affecting the sector.
The consultations will mark Mr Tunabuna’s first formal engagement with sugar industry stakeholders since taking office as Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry.
The program shows the consultations will begin with opening remarks by Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Dr Andrew Tukana, followed by a keynote address by Mr Tunabuna.
An open discussion session moderated by SCGC chief executive officer Mr Vimal Dutt and the Director Operations for the sugar industry is expected to allow stakeholders to raise sector-wide concerns and recommendations directly with ministry officials.
The ministry says unresolved individual farmer issues raised during the consultations may be referred to relevant agencies and officials for follow-up discussions outside the main sessions.
