Govt support needed for sugar reform

The Fiji Labor Party is re-iterating calls for the interim government to provide adequate support and funds, for the timely implementation and completion of the sugar industry reform and restructure programme.

Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the incomes of cane growers must be maintained and protected in the face of declining export prices for sugar.

He says the sugar industry sustains the livelihood of some 20% of Fiji’s population, including landowners, cane farmers, mill and farm workers and cane cutters.

Chaudhry also says the FLP does not agree with the dissolution of the Sugar Commission of Fiji and the Sugar Marketing Company.

He says this will result in the FSC playing the dominant role with the consequential marginalization of the cane growers as was the case in colonial times.

The FLP says as an incentive to boost agricultural production and exports, government should provide support to farmers to enable them to buy fertilizers, weedicides, pesticides, seeds and seedlings and other farm inputs at affordable prices.