Through the assistance of the experts of the European Union, the Sugar Ministry is putting in place a new strategic action plan for the Fiji Sugar Corporation for next year.
Permanent Secretary Manasa Vaniqi said the government's focus on the sugar industry is on upgrading works on the mills and overall improvement in the financial performance of the Fiji Sugar Corporation.
He added that in their budget submission they have asked further assistance for the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji and South Pacific Fertilizers as the plan has always been to support the farmers in subsidizing the cost of fertilizer.
Meanwhile, FSC said through assistance provided by the government, many existing sugarcane farmers are now paying more attention in planting more cane.
Chairman Abdul Khan said payment for sugarcane has improved which is promoting farmers to come back into the industry.
In the 2011 National Budget, a total of $123 million was allocated to support the sugar industry while financial assistance to FSC for this year was adjusted to $40 million.
Fiji being a sugar producing country, continues to import 30,000 tonnes of sugar annually for local consumption.
Later this month a total of 27,500 tonnes of sugar will be imported from Thailand while 3,000 tonnes of raw sugar will be refined locally for local consumption.
Fiji exports bulk of its sugar at a preferential price.
FSC aims to process over 1.7 million tonnes of cane producing 170,000 tonnes of sugar this year which is similar to last year.
Story by: Ronal Deo
