Council happy to work with new minister

THE Sugar Cane Growers Council is looking forward to working with the new Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh and the Sitiveni Rabuka-led government.

Welcoming The People’s Alliance, National Federation Party and SODELPA coalition, council CEO Vimal Dutt said they would be pleased to receive new directions from the elected Minister for Sugar.

“Council is looking forward to work effectively with the new Sugar

Minister, who is also a cane grower of Labasa,” he said.

“The council is happy to receive directions, policy framework, strategies and contribute for the betterment of growers and industry perspective.”

He said he hoped that the new Government would address challenges that growers faced on a day to day basis.

“Cane growers have a worth in the industry being the main key stakeholder, they deserve a balanced and coordinated consideration pertaining to day to day affairs for long term sustainability of the industry. Grower portfolio management is fragile attributing declining numbers, increasing in cost of production, borrowing cost and deteriorating infrastructure leading to inefficiencies are few key factors limiting grower performance.

“Sugar Industry has enormous potential to sustain its performance and prosperity of the growers, the key obligated party. The industry has significant challenges, however, all are within the reach, manageable with motivated and committed collaborative approach, also retaining dedicated grower governance structure and representation in stakeholder organisations is critical. The council will endure its full support in undertaking the new directions set by the new Government,” he said.

He also acknowledged the work of the previous government for allocating operational expenses of the council on behalf of the growers.