Because of FijiFirst government's incompetence, Fiji Sugar Corporation is now facing one of the largest corporate claims in Fiji’s history.
This was raised by the Minister of Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh while responding to the President’s speech in Parliament.
Singh says their reckless mismanagement, corruption and wastage have cost the industry over a billion dollars.
He says cane production dropped from 1.26 million tons to just 356,000 tons under FijiFirst’s rule.
He further says the Moto sector in Ba alone fell from 330,000 tons to 140,000 tons.
Singh says Member of the Parliament Viam Pillay and other former officials were standing by while the industry collapsed.
He says claims of a decline are just excuses.
While speaking about the sugar industry reforms, he says the focus should be on increasing productivity rather than expanding land use.
He says currently, 75,000 hectares are in use and producing only 47 tons per hectare while the target should be 75 tons per hectare.
The Minister says Fiji only needs 55,000 hectares to achieve 4.2 million tons of cane.
He further adds small-scale farmers will not be enough.
He says producing 50 tons of cane is not viable and that farmers must produce at least 350 tons per farm to be sustainable.
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