PM calls for action, says cane growers resilience is being tested

PM calls for action, says cane growers resilience is being tested

By Dhanjay Deo
16/08/2022
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama

“Make no mistake, the resilience of every cane grower is being tested as we speak, as the price of fertilizer is up almost double and Russia’s senseless and bloody invasion of Ukraine is spurring the largest commodity shock since the 1970.”

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made this comment at the opening of the International Sugar Organization Workshop and the 60th ISO Council Meeting in Lautoka this morning.

Bainimarama says the invasion of Ukraine is throwing fuel on the fire of an input-price crisis which has been made worse by sanctions on Belarus and the export restrictions imposed by China, the largest exporter of diammonium phosphate which is the world's most widely used phosphorus fertilizer. He says farmers are not only paying more for their inputs but live under the spectre of a single climate disaster erasing entire land area overnight.

The Minister for Sugar says every year, these risks will rise. He says for this among countless other reasons, Fiji is consistently resolute in calling for climate action.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Bainimarama says for Fiji’s part, cyclones alone have cost the sugar industry more than $200 million since 2016.

He says the Fijian Government heavily subsidises input costs like fertiliser, invests heavily in industry-related research, including resilient crop production, provides grants and subsidies, and funds capital programs aimed at increasing sugar cane planting and production, improving and increasing the rate of mechanisation. The Prime Minister further says the solidarity of the world’s largest cane producers, and the world’s largest sugar markets is essential to ensure a level playing field, now more than ever. He is also urging the International Sugar Organization Head Office to strongly exercise its administrative role to organize or coordinate more opportunities for capacity building and human capital investment across and amongst member countries.

FEATURE NEWS
Emotional Wainiqolo dedicates Flying Fijians win to late father, mother and wife
An emotional Jiuta Wainiqolo has dedicated the Fiji Water Flying Fijians 29-14 win over Scotland, to his late father. Wainiqolo also dedicated it t...
8 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Savea calls for clinical execution as All Blacks prepare for second Test against France
Stand-in All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says his side needs to be more clinical and play in the right areas of the field when they take on France in ...
11 hours ago

Nadi set to celebrate Bula Festival next week with culture, charity and youth empowerment
Nadi is looking forward to the Bula Festival next week, with a focus on showcasing Fijian culture, providing entertainment, and raising funds for ...
11 hours ago

Fiji Museum receives 130 artifacts from the late David Gilmour’s collection
130 artifacts of 108 photographs, 16 traditional war clubs and 6 tabua have been donated by the Wakaya Perfection Trustees to the Fiji ...
11 hours ago

Fiji is stronger when everyone stands together - SODELPA
In the wake of the recent attack on the Shiv Mandir in Samabula, members of the SODELPA Party have visited the temple to personally express their ...
11 hours ago

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha calls for stronger protection of places of worship
The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji has also strongly condemned the recent shameful and despicable act of sacrilege at the Samabula Shiv Temple and is ...
12 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
4 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
6 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
9 days ago

TOP