The Parliament’s Special Committee on the Sugar Industry, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, has commenced public consultations in Vanua Levu to engage directly with sugarcane farmers. These consultations are designed to provide farmers with an opportunity to share their experiences, highlight the challenges they face, and propose practical solutions to strengthen Fiji’s sugar industry.
The program began on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, with a session at Sanatan Hall in Seaqaqa from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. This was followed by further consultations on Thursday, 6 August 2026, at Vanua Levu Arya Samaj Hall in Namara, Labasa, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Later that day, the Committee toured the Labasa Sugar Mill from 12.10 p.m. to 1.00 p.m. These events reflect the government’s commitment to listening to farmers and ensuring that their voices shape the future of the industry.
The Coalition Government has emphasized its dedication to improving productivity, protecting livelihoods, and securing a sustainable future for cane-growing communities. By engaging directly with farmers, the Committee aims to build strategies that are practical, inclusive, and responsive to the realities on the ground. The consultations mark an important step in revitalizing one of Fiji’s most vital industries, ensuring that the perspectives of those who cultivate sugarcane remain central to policy and planning.