Suva : Sugarcane farmers may soon have the opportunity to elect their representatives to the Sugarcane Growers Council if the Sugarcane Amendment Bill 2025 is passed, reports FBC News.
The bill was introduced in Parliament this morning by Rakuita Vakalalabure, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights.
Before 2015, members of the council were elected through a process outlined in the Sugar Industry Act. However, Vakalalabure explained that the Sugarcane Amendment Act 2015 transferred the authority to appoint council members to the minister. The new bill aims to change this system.
“The Sugar Industry Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to revise this provision by modifying the council’s composition and providing a clearer electoral process for selecting members and outlining their qualifications,” Vakalalabure said.
The committee has also proposed eligibility criteria for candidates seeking election to the council.
“The committee suggests that individuals must only demonstrate the ability to produce any amount of cane to qualify for candidacy,” Vakalalabure explained. “This means a person would be eligible if they provide evidence of cane production, regardless of tonnage requirements set by regulation.”
Additionally, the committee recommended that candidates must have resided in the country for at least two years and possess knowledge of the agricultural sector to be eligible to run for election.
The proposed bill, if passed, would mark a significant change in how representatives are selected for the Sugarcane Growers Council, giving farmers a direct role in choosing their leadership.
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