‘Sugar Industry Will Not Rely on Tax Payers $’
Minister Singh has had talks with the Minister for Lands on ways to urge landowners to allow more sugarcane farmers to lease their idle lands.
The Government will encourage farmers not to move away from sugarcane farming because it will affect the economy. Mr Singh said in a 10 acre land, farmers can plant eight acres of sugarcane and two acres of other produces
The sugar industry will have to fill its own coffers but not at the expense of the Fijian tax payers. Minister for Multi-Ethnic and Sugar Charan Jeath Singh made this comment during a meeting with the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nadi last Friday.
Mr Singh, a farmer himself, understands that this industry has been a backbone of the country for the past seven decades and it was time the industry looked for other means of getting funds.
“We have to get funding from the local financiers where it will come from the bilateral and unilateral agencies,” he said. He said talks were underway with bilateral agencies and the Ministry would be submitting its proposals for funding.
Landowners urged to lease lands for cane cultivation
Mr Singh has had talks with the Minister for Lands on ways to urge landowners to allow more sugarcane farmers to lease their idle lands.
This would allow an increase in sugar production and landowners would also benefit from the lease money. “The Governments will subsidise your land rents,” Mr Singh said.
“To do the right thing we should not get the money from the taxpayers.”
Plans with agriculture ministry
Mr Singh is also discussing a long term plan with the Minister for Agriculture. “We will encourage farmers not to move away from sugarcane farming because it will affect the economy.”
He said in a 10 acre land, farmers can plant eight acres of sugarcane and two acres of other produce.