Suva : During a recent tour of sugarcane cultivation areas in Ba, Lautoka, and the Rarawai Mill, Sakiusa Tubuna, the Assistant Minister in the office of the Prime Minister, underscored the immediate need for a comprehensive and unified approach to address the numerous challenges confronting the sugar sub-sector, reports Fiji Times.
Once a vital pillar of the economy, this industry is grappling with a decline in sugarcane production, narrowing profit margins for farmers, and leading to escalating production costs.
Mr. Tubuna stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that the sustainability and future success of the sub-sector rely on collaborative endeavors to tackle the root causes of its decline.
“The sugar sub-sector stands at a critical crossroads, and transformative actions are urgently necessary to infuse new vitality into an industry that has historically been a cornerstone of our nation’s economy,” he remarked.
The decline in sugarcane production has led to decreased raw sugar output, rendering the sugar industry inefficient and unsustainable from an industrial perspective.
This decline can be attributed to various factors, including evolving agricultural practices and the adverse impacts of climate change. However, it is the challenges faced by sugarcane farmers that have captured the government’s attention.
Escalating labor, harvest, and transportation expenses, coupled with consistently low sugar prices, pose a significant threat to farmers’ livelihoods.
“The trials confronted by our sugarcane farmers are deeply disconcerting. Their struggles not only affect their own lives but also have far-reaching implications for our agricultural sector and rural communities,” Mr. Tubuna commented.
To tackle these issues, the Assistant Minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive and multi-faceted strategy.
“We must adopt a comprehensive approach to address challenges across the spectrum – from enhancing productivity and mechanization to improving product quality and achieving economies of scale,” he asserted.
Mr. Tubuna further emphasized that revitalization demands internal adaptations and a thorough understanding of the intricate interplay among production structures, trading systems, and institutions.
“Fundamental changes are crucial to generate positive outcomes on the social, economic, and environmental fronts. Without tangible modifications to the existing production and trade dynamics, our efforts will fall short of creating lasting change,” he warned.
In pursuit of a comprehensive sugar policy, the Assistant Minister highlighted the importance of conducting an exhaustive cost-benefit analysis encompassing all aspects of the sub-sector.
This analysis should encompass land tenure, crop development, harvesting, transportation, and milling.
He believes that such an approach will pave the way for an informed and effective strategy to directly confront the challenges facing the sub-sector.
As the sugar sub-sector grapples with volatile markets and the escalating threat of climate change, the call for coordinated efforts and innovative solutions has never been more pressing.
The Assistant Minister’s message serves as a rallying cry for all stakeholders, including farmers, industry participants, and policymakers, to unite and reinvigorate an industry of profound historical and economic significance for the nation.
