The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, announced that the government plans to establish a new sugar mill in Rakiraki.
This announcement was made by the minister while addressing farmers at the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji open day in Rakiraki.
According to Singh, this was merely an intervention to reduce the importation of white sugar, riding on the increasing demand for refined sugar products in the region, which attracts higher market prices.
“We are also focusing on increasing the electricity generation capacity of all sugar mills in Fiji. Through efficient utilization of the already existing infrastructure—the boilers—all the mills will be enabled to generate extra electricity, to be sold to the EFL, and the farmers will earn an extra income,” Singh said.
He outlined specific plans to produce ethanol from additional molasses to be sourced from the Rakiraki and Lautoka mills at the Ba mill. This, he added, could eventually be refined into aviation fuel to supply Fiji Airways.
“That is, we have to increase the production of sugarcane to over 2 million tons in Western Fiji. For this purpose, the government has almost doubled the budget share for the sugar industry to show its commitment towards extending assistance to farmers,” the Minister asserted,
Singh called upon farmers to actively liaise with the government and the sugar industry stakeholders to promote the interests of the sector and derive maximum benefits for all stakeholders.
