Editorial
FIJI’S SUGAR INDUSTRY MUST IMPROVE OR DIE
FijiSUN
SUVA, Fiji (July 6) - The performance of the nation’s sugar mills during the crushing season has long been a point of contention between the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the growers and harvesters of cane.
And, like everything else in this blighted industry, the issue has become political.
But matters are not helped when the management of the largest mill assures growers and other stakeholders that all is well and the mill is raring to go only for it to break down on the first day of crushing.
Other breakdowns followed, though as of yesterday the mill was operating at full capacity.
The whole industry will hope it stays that way.
Now the farmers in the Rakiraki district say they want to monitor the performance of their local mill before bringing in hired seasonal labor from other parts of Viti Levu.
This is because, they say, they do not want to incur the expense...