Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh, today handed over the New Farmers and Lease Renewal Grant to 16 sugarcane farmers in the Northern Division, marking his final official engagement as Minister responsible for the sugar portfolio before assuming a new ministerial role.
While addressing the farmers and stakeholders, Singh reflected on the journey of the sugar industry over the past three years, acknowledging both the challenges faced and the progress achieved under the Coalition Government.
He says the sugar industry is more than an economic sector, it is the heartbeat of rural Fiji as it supports thousands of families, sustains entire communities, and forms an essential part of our national identity.
Singh recalled that when he assumed office, the industry was under significant strain, with declining production, rising costs, ageing infrastructure, and low confidence among farmers.
He says restoring trust and stability required steady leadership, collaboration, and decisive action.
The Minister says over the past three years, their focus was clear which was to stabilise the industry, rebuild confidence, and set a sustainable path forward.
He says the improved cooperation between growers, millers, industry bodies, and government agencies, shifted toward partnership, consultation, and transparency had delivered tangible results.
Singh says at the heart of everything they did was the simple principle of the Government not abandoning the sugar communities, but instead rebuilding them, while the industry remains on track to meet its target of increasing production by 200,000 tonnes annually.
Singh will take up his new role as Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Public Enterprises from Monday.
