𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Hon. Charan Jeath Singh, has issued a strong call for greater collaboration and accountability among stakeholders in Fiji’s sugar industry.

While receiving a report titled “Understanding and Supporting Adaptation Work in the Fijian Sugar Industry”—a research initiative led by The University of Sheffield (UK) and funded by The Leverhulme Trust—Minister Singh emphasized that the value of such studies depends entirely on how stakeholders respond and work together.

“All the reports presented will only be useful if our people in the sugar industry and the five key stakeholders work together collaboratively,” he said.

Minister Singh said that despite significant government investments in the sugar industry, the impact has been hindered by a persistent lack of coordination among the sugar stakeholders.

“The Government is making so many investments in the sugar industry, yet there continues to be a lack of cooperation among the very stakeholders,” he stressed.

The Minister’s remarks follow the presentation of the adaptation research report, which highlights the growing burden of climate-related challenges faced by sugarcane farmers and calls for integrated support from institutions, researchers, and industry bodies.

The study’s findings are expected to guide future policy and operational improvements in the sugar sector. However, Minister Singh underlined that the success of these efforts rests on effective communication, unified strategies, and shared responsibility across all levels of the industry.

Minister Singh urged the Government and all sugar industry stakeholders to come together and work hand in hand to provide structured, sustainable, and policy-driven support for the farmers who are on the frontline of climate change. He further emphasized that such unified efforts are essential to ensure the long-term viability of the sugar industry and to safeguard the well-being and resilience of farming communities across Fiji.