The Sugar Industry is making a turnaround with more farmers showing interest to return to the farms.

Sugar Ministry, Permanent Secretary, Yogesh Karan says cane farmers who lost interest in farming about ten years ago have committed about 80 acres.

Karan says this has been made possible through the joint venture partnership scheme between the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the landowners aimed at encouraging sugarcane farmers back to the industry.

He adds they have had talks in Sigatoka, where the 80 acres commitment was made, adding that the government is hopeful this will increase to 150 acres soon.

The PS says under this scheme, sugarcane planting has also been done in Bua which used to be good fertile but idle land.

The government is providing subsidy for planting costs.

In 2017, the government made this plan and under the joint venture agreement the FSC will prepare the land, plant the cane, manage it and undertake harvesting.

The revenue derived from harvesting will be shared between the landowners and the FSC.

The PS adds all of Fiji’s sugar has been pre-sold and marketing for sugar is not an issue.