Sweet sugar

Dewan Chand, Suva

Traditionally, sweet sugar was the economic backbone of our beloved country. However, it lost its position to the tourism industry for a number of reasons such as international competition and the price fall in the international market.

COVID-19 pandemic has clearly changed all that. Tourism is left high and dry at the moment. There seems to be no immediate solution in sight.

However, it is a great feeling to note that sugar mill workers are now coming back on their jobs as confirmed by the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) chief executive officer, Graham Clark. What sweet music to the ears of the families of workers who have gone back to the Labasa Mill and subsequently others will follow suit at Lautoka and Rarawai after June 23 and 24.

FSC is determined that this crushing season maximum green cane is processed for good quality sugar.

In this direction nine locomotives are being re-conditioned to help farmers deliver their cut cane with efficiency to the mills. Locos will compliment trucks and trailers in cane delivery.

I can only envisage production of sweet high-quality sugar this season for export and local consumption.