Reforms won't save sugar industry

Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive Surendra Sharma says sweeping reforms of sugar institutions are not the cure to the industry's problems.

Mr Sharma said removal of some of the important sugar bodies was not important compared to problems faced by sugar cane growers.

"The real solutions are in helping the farmers with fertiliser, cane production, harvesting and transportation costs as well as helping them with other farm-based activities to supplement cane incomes," he said.

"Also addressing miller inefficiencies is, of course, paramount."

While the sugar industry has never had a smooth ride, the current status of the industry is one of uncertainty.

Mr Sharma said the industry required every ounce of goodwill from the miller, the growers and the government to focus on the most efficient way forward.

"Cane farmers have had it rough and tough throughout the history of the industry and in some ways they are as resilient as the cane crop itself," Mr Sharma said.

"I know they will deliver the goods if given all the required help they need at this critical time and I don't believe that this is the time to exploit their weakness as a group divided amongst themselves."

He said a solution needs to be worked out for the fertiliser company (South Pacific Fertilizer) rather then finger pointing.

"How we go about resolving the fertiliser crisis will be an acid test for the goodwill and co-operation between government, the miller and the growers," he said.

source: fijitimes