Fiji : ‘I did my best for the sugar sector,’ says outgoing minister
Outgoing Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh said reforms over three years have stabilised Fiji’s sugar sector, improved stakeholder trust and delivered record cane payments. He cited restored mill operations, farmer support programmes and long-term projects as foundations for recovery as he moves to a new cabinet role.
Outgoing Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh says he leaves the sugar sector confident that a strong foundation has been laid for its recovery after three years of reform and stabilisation.
“I know I did my best in the sugar industry,” Singh said during the handover of New Farmers Assistance Grants and Lease Renewal Agreements at the Ministry of Sugar office in Lautoka this week.
From January 19, Singh, will assume the portfolio of Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Public Enterprises in the latest cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka last December.
“For the past three years, it has been my honour to serve the sugar industry — our growers, mill workers, drivers, technical teams and stakeholders — many of whom endured one of the most challenging periods this sector has ever faced,” he said.
He said when he took office, the industry was struggling with declining productivity, rising costs, ageing infrastructure and weakened trust between growers, mills and government.
“Our focus shifted from blame to partnership, short-term fixes to long-term foundations, and fragmented decision-making to collective responsibility,” Singh said.
He said cooperation among stakeholders had improved, restoring confidence across the sector.
One key indicator of that renewed confidence, Singh said, was improved cane payments to farmers.
Under the Coalition Government, farmers received the three highest cane payments in Fiji’s history:
- $91.38 per tonne for the 2022 crop
- $105.08 per tonne for the 2023 crop
- $101.13 per tonne for the 2024 crop
“These outcomes did not happen by chance. They reflect stronger coordination, government support and, above all, the resilience and hard work of our farmers,” he said.
Singh also highlighted progress towards the Government’s goal of increasing annual cane production by 200,000 tonnes, supported by improvements in mill performance, logistics, governance reforms and field support.
He said the Rarawai mill had been restored to operation following the September 2025 fire, while work continued on transformational initiatives, including evaluating investors for a proposed state-of-the-art sugar mill in Rakiraki.
The proposed Rakiraki facility is envisioned as a multi-product operation producing raw and refined sugar, ethanol and co-generated power, creating new economic opportunities for growers and surrounding communities.
“This Government has been clear from the start — we are not in the business of shutting down sugar communities; we are in the business of rebuilding them,” Singh said.
He said the New Farmer and Lease Premium Assistance Programme remained a key part of that commitment.
Nationally, the programme has assisted 587 farmers with a total government investment of $2.7 million. In Lautoka, eight farmers received grants totalling $43,479, while a further 16 farmers in Labasa are expected to receive $78,473 later this week.
“These grants are not just financial support; they are an investment in confidence, continuity and the future of our cane industry,” Singh said.
“As I step away from direct responsibility for the sugar sector, I do so knowing a strong foundation has been laid for its turnaround. My support for this industry will not end here.”
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Source : Fiji Sun
