𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐲𝐮𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 Fiji’s Sugar Industry

The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Hon. Charan Jeath Singh, is currently

in Japan for a series of meetings with key stakeholders aimed at enhancing farm mechanization, improving fertilizer sourcing, and strengthening bilateral ties with Japan.

During his visit, Minister Singh met with the President and executives from Ryukyus Fertiliser

Company in Okinawa, Japan, to discuss potential collaborations aimed at addressing shared

challenges between the two countries, such as reducing fertilizer costs.

Minister Singh highlighted on Fiji Government’s commitment to revitalizing the sugar industry,

with an ambitious plan to increase cane production to 2.5 million tonnes over the next two years. He emphasized that the government is supporting sugarcane farmers through grants and subsidies, which covers range of initiatives including cane planting, mechanization, and assistance to reduce the costs associated with harvesting, transportation, and overall cane production.

He further discussed the challenges faced by Fiji’s sugar industry, particularly the rising costs of

fertilizer caused by global disruptions such as the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and the covid-19 pandemic, as the cost of fertilizer has surged by 2-3 times.

Minister Singh acknowledged that there had been discussions between Fiji and Ryukyus FertiliserCompany in 2016, but the outcome of those talks had not been fully realized. He emphasized that this visit marks a fresh start for both parties, with a shared commitment to exploring mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges faced by the sugar industries in both nations.

“We are here to renew our partnership and explore all avenues for cooperation. We are eager to

begin a new chapter of collaboration that will benefit both our countries and, most importantly,

the sugarcane farmers of Fiji. We believe that by working closely with companies like Ryukyus

Fertiliser, we can reduce the cost of inputs for our farmers and ensure more efficient and

sustainable sourcing of fertilizers,” said Minister Singh.

Minister Singh also, met the Director General of the Okinawa General Bureau at the Cabinet Office in Japan on 9/12/2024 to discuss challenges and opportunities for mutual cooperation in the sugar industry. The meeting underlined the shared concerns of both Okinawa and Fiji regarding the future of sugarcane farming and the need for innovative solutions to address issues such as labor shortages, aging farmers, and climate change impacts.

The Director General, Mr. Kentaro Miura, provided a brief on how the Okinawan government has supported its sugarcane farmers, with a focus on promoting technological innovation and

upgrading aging infrastructure, including the modernization of sugar mills.