Charan Jeath Singh, the outgoing Minister for the Sugar Industry, has lauded the significant accomplishments achieved during his three-year tenure, underscoring record cane payments, renewed stakeholder trust, and consistent advances toward the sustainable recovery of Fiji’s sugar industry. At a recent grant hand-out function held in Lautoka, Singh emphasized that the period has been marked by the delivery of the three highest cane payments in Fiji’s history. This accomplishment, he credited to improved coordination, robust government backing, and the unwavering dedication of farmers.
“These outcomes did not happen by chance,” Singh stated, attributing the positive changes to a collective effort. He explained how the Government shifted the industry’s focus from blame and temporary fixes to a model based on partnership, long-term planning, and shared responsibilities among stakeholders. “We transitioned from fragmented decision-making to collective responsibility,” he noted, pointing out that these changes have fostered unity, transparency, and accountability in the sector.
Singh also highlighted progress towards the Government’s ambitious goal of increasing cane production by 200,000 tonnes each year. This target is being supported by enhancements in mill performance, improved logistics, governance reforms, and direct assistance for growers. He stressed that these initiatives are designed to fortify the industry’s foundation rather than chase short-term and unsustainable gains.
“Importantly, this Government has been unambiguous from the start — we are not here to shut down sugar communities; we are committed to rebuilding them,” Singh asserted. Although he acknowledged the challenges that the industry continues to face, he expressed optimism that the reforms and partnerships nurtured over the past three years have set the sector on a more viable path moving forward. The efforts appear to be paving the way for a robust future for Fiji’s sugar industry, fostering hope among stakeholders and communities involved.