Calls have been made to explore alternative solutions to address the ongoing challenges faced by the sugar sector.

During a submission to the Standing Committee on the Sugar Industry Amendment Bill yesterday, former journalist Josefa Nata emphasized the financial strain on the sugar industry, describing it as a drain on resources.

The government is urged to consider sugar-cane syrup as an alternative for sugar.

“I am going to suggest sugar-cane syrup. I’ve been cooking sugar-cane syrup for the last 6 months, experimenting on what we should be selling. The local market in itself can sustain the industry but we have to get away from sugar.”

Nata explains that more money can also be saved through this alternative.

“We are paying $110 for a tonne of sugar. The sugar industry, $80 to $100 at the most and that is including government subsidy. But we are paying just a $110. Within 3 months, we will be paying $150 a tonne and that’s a no brainer. Cane farmers will throw away their contracts with FSC but we do not want that.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad has confirmed that for the first time, the Coalition government has created an Independent Board to look into the financials of the Sugar Industry.

“We made a good decision in the last two years about spending whatever money the government is to spend on people but there is still a significant number of people who depend on the industry and that is a huge multiplier effect. But as I have said, as a government, this is the first time, we now have an Independent Board by the Fiji Food and Agricultural Organization and that report will be discussed by government and we will let you know what we plan to do after this.”

Meanwhile, although the Sugar Industry remains under pressure, all be decided during the tabling of the Amended Bill at the March Parliament Sitting.

(by: Ruci Ranitu | Journalist)