Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has continued to stress to cane farmers in meetings in the west and north that politicians and past politicians like Biman Prasad and Mahendra Chaudhry are not helping the sugar industry.
Bainimarama has told farmers that these politicians are using them for their political gain.
He stresses that he will continue to protect the people who are involved in the sugar industry.
Bainimarama says the sugar industry will keep going despite claims from his opponents that the industry is dying or will die and the sun will not rise tomorrow.
He says there will also be no politics in the new look Sugar Cane Growers Council despite politicians calling for the council elections.
Bainimarama also stresses that there is now more efficiency as it takes about 8 tonnes of cane to produce 1 tonne of sugar while it used to take about 13 to 14 tonnes of cane to produce 1 tonne of sugar in the past.
NFP Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says he does not agree with Bainimarama. Prasad wants a joint parliamentary committee on sugar to be set up.
Prasad says he sees the Prime Minister's visits to the farmers as a campaign exercise.
When we questioned Prasad on whether it is appropriate for the Prime Minister to talk to the farmers about their concerns, Prasad said that he can do that but he should not criticise them in the meetings.
Chaudhry says he will comment later.
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