This is a companion blog to Croz Walsh's Blog -- Fiji: The Way it Was, Is and Can Be. www.crosbiew.blogspot.com (see link in side bar.) The blog is entirely devoted to questions and comments on the "way forward" for Fiji. Na Sala Cavu means "Which path?" New comments are welcome but require verification by the publisher.
Friday 15 October 2010
The Sugar Industry
What is wrong and what can be done about the sugar industry? Please comment thoughtfully, and bounce your ideas off those of other readers. I hope a useful discussion will result.
7 comments:
K.R.
said...
I believe an avoidable humanitarian crisis is in the making.
Franticly attempting radical AUS policy rethink re Fiji highest level. Military out of depth re this complex issue. Current options under consideration - close mills 2 years, - privatise debt ridden FSC. Estimates of impact vary - 100 - 200k dependants? What will they do (survive)if FSC falls over? Beyond politics - often overlooked - every one of these people is a fellow human being - deserves respect(consideration) acordingly.
A good starting point would be a sugar minister who is prepared to roll up is sleeves and get in and understand the industry. A sugar minister who will work tirelessly to have a impact - not the current PM who struggles to even count so has little chance or desire to understand the industry.
Return the country to democracy....well to be more practical at least start the process, don't wait till 2012.
Re-engage with EU. Get the funding.
Bring it real specialists who have serious skin in the game. Equity or seriously big bonuses if they get production up to pre-defined levels. Not unemployable has beens from 20 years ago.
Or - sell the mills to local businessmen. They know how to make things work. a number have offered in the past but failed.
People don't like the idea but small scale sugar farms are a dead concept. The world moved on 20 years ago and Fiji needs to now.
No disrespect intended - but your all missing point - thinking in own personal narrow perspective clouded by political rhetoric & prejudice - luxury those facing economic ruin & social upheaval can't afford.
Q. What is immediate & urgent core problem effecting FSC operations?
I fear the FSC and any prospects of a sustainable sugar industry in fiji are lost causes. Without extreme and appropriate government intervention, the FSC will collapse on itself leaving the farmers with nothing - no land, no market to sell to. First of all, the government needs to do something to assume the market risks of the farmers. Provide subsidies that ensure farmers get a fair price and be more reliant when providing credit for farming inputs. Secondly, a complete reform of the FSC. Thirdly, invest in infrastructure and research for ethanol development based on sugar cane. Integrate ethanol production into the curriculum of USP or FNU so that we can start to train people to develop, manage and enhance an ethanol producing industry. We need technicians and mechanics who can adapt car engines, fix generators that run on ethanol, research the capacity of sugar cane to produce ethanol etc. The state could also work with FEA to develop this ethanol industry for possible rural electrification projects. This would provide another support system ensuring a steady market for ethanol. Education and adaptation are key. We can't compete on global markets without preferential treatment. But we can sell carbon credits for producing 'greener' forms of energy. But with all the funding and potential grants flying around, lets ensure the state keeps any sort of tinkering with the FSC and fiji's sugar industry transparent. Happy Diwali.
7 comments:
I believe an avoidable humanitarian crisis is in the making.
Franticly attempting radical AUS policy rethink re Fiji highest level. Military out of depth re this complex issue. Current options under consideration - close mills 2 years, - privatise debt ridden FSC. Estimates of impact vary - 100 - 200k dependants? What will they do (survive)if FSC falls over? Beyond politics - often overlooked - every one of these people is a fellow human being - deserves respect(consideration) acordingly.
A good starting point would be a sugar minister who is prepared to roll up is sleeves and get in and understand the industry. A sugar minister who will work tirelessly to have a impact - not the current PM who struggles to even count so has little chance or desire to understand the industry.
Return the country to democracy....well to be more practical at least start the process, don't wait till 2012.
Re-engage with EU. Get the funding.
Bring it real specialists who have serious skin in the game. Equity or seriously big bonuses if they get production up to pre-defined levels. Not unemployable has beens from 20 years ago.
Or - sell the mills to local businessmen. They know how to make things work. a number have offered in the past but failed.
People don't like the idea but small scale sugar farms are a dead concept. The world moved on 20 years ago and Fiji needs to now.
No disrespect intended - but your all missing point - thinking in own personal narrow perspective clouded by political rhetoric & prejudice - luxury those facing economic ruin & social upheaval can't afford.
Q.
What is immediate & urgent core problem effecting FSC operations?
A.
Complete sentence - 5 & 4 letter words.
M.... broken d...?
K R.
Fred.
@ annon
annons not welcom for good reason. They make no sense.
I fear the FSC and any prospects of a sustainable sugar industry in fiji are lost causes. Without extreme and appropriate government intervention, the FSC will collapse on itself leaving the farmers with nothing - no land, no market to sell to.
First of all, the government needs to do something to assume the market risks of the farmers. Provide subsidies that ensure farmers get a fair price and be more reliant when providing credit for farming inputs.
Secondly, a complete reform of the FSC.
Thirdly, invest in infrastructure and research for ethanol development based on sugar cane.
Integrate ethanol production into the curriculum of USP or FNU so that we can start to train people to develop, manage and enhance an ethanol producing industry. We need technicians and mechanics who can adapt car engines, fix generators that run on ethanol, research the capacity of sugar cane to produce ethanol etc.
The state could also work with FEA to develop this ethanol industry for possible rural electrification projects. This would provide another support system ensuring a steady market for ethanol.
Education and adaptation are key.
We can't compete on global markets without preferential treatment. But we can sell carbon credits for producing 'greener' forms of energy.
But with all the funding and potential grants flying around, lets ensure the state keeps any sort of tinkering with the FSC and fiji's sugar industry transparent.
Happy Diwali.
The only sugar industry that would be saved is the one that will provide for Fiji ALONE!!! NO MORE EXPORTS!!!
For farmers, bananas will be the next big thing to take over from sugar!!!
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