Prime Minister and Sugar Minister Voreqe Bainimarama

The Political upheavals of 1987 and 2000 have drastically impacted the Sugar Industry.

Prime Minister and Sugar Minister Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted this while being questioned by the Opposition on the decline of the Industry.

While clarifying on the efforts made by the government to rebuild the Sugar Industry, Bainimarama pointed out that the political events of the past led to the downfall of the Industry.

“The industry landscape has changed dramatically not in 2006 but way back in 1987 when the coup makers saw the sugar cane industry as a threat to their political ambition.”

NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad also highlighted the decline in the number of farmers.

However, Bainimarama says this was mainly due to the politicization of the Sugar Industry.